Tennessee's so-called Ag Gag bill is getting national attention, and Governor Haslam's office is being flooded with calls and emails. Some say the bill is about preventing animal cruelty, others say it protects abusers. The national spotlight is shining on the Tennessee Capitol. Ellen DeGeneres is the latest celebrity urging the Governor to veto this legislation. The bill would require a person who records cruelty to livestock to report it to law enforcement within 48 hours. A video showing a Collierville, TN horse trainer abusing animals sent shock waves through Tennessee's walking horse industry. We have to build a case to show what's truly happening on these industrial operations, says HSUS Public Policy Manager Matt Dominguez. The Humane Society of the United States captured those images, and is now fighting a new law just passed by the Tennessee General Assembly. It's being called the Ag Gag bill. It would require a person who records cruelty on farms to report the violation within 48 hours. They want to blow the whistle on the whistleblower. They want to get us out of their facilities before we can build a case that leads to both federal and state prosecution, says Dominguez. The bill was even discussed on Wednesday's Ellen DeGeneres show with HSUS president Wayne Pacelle. I really want people to contact the Governor of Tennessee, Gov. Haslam, and ask him to veto this bill, Pacelle tells DeGeneres. Country star Carrie Underwood has also tweeted about her opposition. The Governor's office is hearing from the public. As of Wednesday afternoon there have been more than 4,500 emails, and nearly 1,800 phone calls. All but 16 of the calls have been against the bill. The legislation was sponsored by Republican Representative Andy Holt. We're not saying that investigations can't occur, what we're saying is that if you have the evidence, turn that over to law enforcement within 48 hours, says Rep. Andy Holt, (R) Dresden. Holt says it only takes one violation to indict a suspect for cruelty in Tennessee. He says whistleblowers aren't being gagged, they're being asked to blow the whistle more quickly. Holt calls the bill the Livestock Cruelty Prevention Act. But others argue repeated abuse takes time to uncover. Inside these industries there is rampant animal abuse happening, says Dominguez. The Tennessee Attorney General is now studying the constitutionality of the bill. Once this bill arrives on the Governor's desk, he will have ten days to sign it into law. Carrie Underwood has tweeted that if Haslam doesn't veto the bill, she will show up on his front door. For news updates follow John Dunn on twitter @WZTVJohnDunn _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: WZTV on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foxnashville/ WZTV on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FOXNashville Subscribe to WZTV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCouaZqnOJay2Lacj8fomO3Q/?sub_confirmation=1 Daily News Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0NoehDI3QdbEPqmgxbSwBNiScxUXS0PR For more information, visit https://fox17.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: news@fox17.com Call the Newsroom: 615.369.1717 Fox 17 provides local news, weather, sports, traffic and entertainment for Nashville and nearby towns and communities in Middle Tennessee, including Forest Hills, Brentwood, Franklin, Fairview, Dickson, Clarksville, White House, Greenbrier, Springfield, Gallatin, Hartsville, Lebanon, Mt Juliet, Smyrna, College Grove, Thompson’s Station, Centerville, Murfreesboro, Columbia, Lewisburg, Shelbyville, Manchester, McMinnville, Smithville, Sparta, Cookeville, Hohenwald, Waverly, Camden, Paris, Lafayette, Portland, and in Kentucky, Russelville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Alvaton, Scottsville, Hopkinsville, Glasgow. #WZTV #fox17news #foxnashville

• published: 25 Apr 2013
• views: 600