New Jersey Could Soon Ban the Slaughter of Pregnant Livestock

Brianna, a pregnant cow that made national headlines after narrowly escaping a transport truck en route to a New Jersey slaughterhouse, has inspired legislation in the state that would prohibit the slaughter of pregnant animals as well as ban the selling and transport of pregnant livestock for slaughter.

Brianna's heroic escape occurred on December 27, 2018, after she kicked open the door of a cattle truck, leaped ten feet to the ground from the second level of the moving trailer, and began her walk down New Jersey's Route 80 towards freedom.

After being corralled by law enforcement, Brianna was rescued by a local sanctuary in Wantage Township where she later gave birth to a healthy calf named Winter.

After learning of Brianna's bravery, Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly (D-Passaic) introduced "Brianna's Law," or Assembly Bill 4886, which is co-sponsored by Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco and Assemblywoman Valeria V. Huttle.

"All animals deserve to be treated humanely and with dignity," Wimberly said. "A pregnant cow is no different. This measure will help ensure that perpetrators pay, literally, for failing to exhibit such treatment.

There is currently no federal or New jersey law that protects pregnant livestock from being slaughtered.

If "Brianna's Law" is passed, slaughtering pregnant livestock would become a fourth-degree animal cruelty crime, and those convicted could face a fine of $3,000 to $10,000 for each conviction and 18 months behind bars.

In response to the ordeal, State Sen. Nellie Pou (D-Passaic) also began drafting similar legislation that would make the transportation and slaughter of pregnant livestock a disorderly persons offense, as opposed to an actual animal cruelty crime.

State Sen. Pou and Assemblyman Wimberly plan to work together in order to streamline their respective bills.

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