Supreme Court and Animal Cruelty Law: Do You Agree With High Court's Decision?
"World News" wants to know what you think.
April 21, 2010— -- The Supreme Court Tuesday struck down an animal cruelty law that had outlawed the sale of videos depicting dog fighting and the like. The law's intent was to place such depictions of animal cruelty in the same category as child pornography -- something so objectionable that society should ban it.
Citing the First Amendment, the justices disagreed, declaring the law unconstitutional in an 8-1 decision. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, "Maybe there are some categories of speech that have been historically unprotected, but have not yet been specifically identified or discussed as such in our case law, but if so, there is no evidence that depictions of animal cruelty is among them."
The Humane Society expressed disappointment over the decision, saying it was a "narrow law that only applies to those trafficking obscene materials over state lines." The society hopes to get a new law on the books.
The law's sponsor, Rep. Elton Gallegy, R-Calif., has promised to write new legislation that will meet the court's free speech requirements.
Our question to you today: Do you agree with the Supreme Court's decision?
ABC's Ariane de Vogue contributed to this report.
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