Threat to animal-welfare laws

With 100 million hogs slaughtered a year in the U.S., we must be attentive to the laws being passed concerning farm animals. After reading “ND voters add farmer protection to constitution,” [News, Nov. 8] I cannot fathom the idea that farmers are free to treat their farm animals however they would like without any hope for animal-welfare laws.

For instance, imagine the repercussions of this law on pig farming in the U.S. Will pregnant sows forever have to suffer in gestation crates too small for them to move? Will piglets never have the chance to live a healthier life with access to fresh air?

The effects that this law will have on the environment and on the welfare of animals are unknown, but I am scared for the future of farm animals in North Dakota.

— Mia Walsh, Seattle