Animal Law Podcast #88: Going to Prison for Rescuing Animals?

On this episode, I will be discussing State of Utah v Hsiung, the case that has everyone in the movement talking. Wayne Hsiung and Jon Frohnmeyer will be here to discuss the prosecution of Wayne, along with his co-defendant Paul Picklesimer, for burglary and theft for entering a huge Smithfield factory farm in Utah and, while there, rescuing two sick piglets. The trial is set to begin in early October. Among other things, we will discuss whether, and how, the necessity defense exists in Utah and, if so, whether it applies to the right to rescue sick and dying animals, and whether, given their condition, these piglets could be said to have any monetary "value," as required by the charges.

Wayne Hsiung is a lawyer, former faculty member at Northwestern School of Law, former lead organizer of the global animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), and co-founder of The Sanctuary Initiative. He has led teams that have rescued dozens of animals from factory farms, and has organized successful campaigns to ban fur in San Francisco and California. He faces decades in prison for challenging so-called “ag gag” laws across the nation and removing animals from labs, slaughterhouses, and farms for veterinary care. His work as an open rescue activist has been reported on in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and ABC’s Nightline. Wayne published research (with Cass Sunstein) on climate change’s impact on wildlife, practiced law at two national firms, and had an active pro bono practice defending victims of domestic violence.

Jon Frohnmayer is an attorney and activist with Direct Action Everywhere. He graduated from Stanford University and the University of Oregon School of Law, where he was Editor in Chief of the Oregon Law Review and President of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. He worked for several years doing transactional law before moving into animal rights.

View the full episode with resources here: https://ourhenhouse.org/ALP88/ The Animal Law Podcast is released by the nonprofit organization, Our Hen House. Share your thoughts with us on social media! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@ourhenhouse).