The shocking undercover video of animal abuse at a Fort Morgan dairy farm is a perfect argument for why states should not discourage documenting such incidents.

Recordings made at Cactus Acres Holsteins show workers stabbing cows with pencils and screwdrivers. Cattle are kicked and hit and their tails pulled. The video resulted in the firing of five workers, and a criminal investigation is underway.

The investigation must do more than implicate the low-wage workers caught on video. It should determine if the unfortunate conduct was part of the operation’s overall standard of practices.

The video was shot by a worker who was an undercover activist from the animal-rights group Mercy for Animals. Dairy Farmers of America criticized the group for seeking change through “deceit and misconception, rather than working with the industry.”

This is the same argument used by states that have adopted laws designed to discourage documenting farm animal abuse.

In Idaho, Kansas, North Dakota and Montana, unauthorized recording on farms is illegal. In Utah and Iowa, it is illegal to provide false information on an employment application with intent to make unauthorized recordings.

Colorado lawmakers this year thankfully killed a bill by Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, that would have required reporting of animal abuse within 48 hours.

Similar legislation in Montana and Missouri mandates people witnessing animal abuse to report it within 24 hours or be charged with a crime.

Animal-rights groups say these quick-reporting laws are meant to silence whistleblowers. Forcing activists to expose themselves immediately makes it difficult for undercover investigations, which is exactly the intent.

In the same way cellphone videos of police abuse have resulted in public outcry for reforms, images of animal abuse have shed a light on disturbing actions in commercial farms and dairies.

Let’s hope that light continues to shine.

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