05/28/2026
PLEASE VOTE NO ON IP28. ITS A MISLABELED RADICAL CONTROL BILL---PLAYING ON PEOPLES SYMPATHY. IT AFFECTS THE FOOD CHAIN, AS WELL AS DOG TRAINING PRACTICES, BREEDING AND SHOWING
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/oregon-update-radical-and-misleading-animal-cruelty-ballot-measure-crosses-signature-threshold/
May 28, 2026
Animal rights activists continue to collect signatures in Oregon to put an extreme measure on the November 2026 ballot to ban all hunting, criminalize certain dog breeding (including artificial insemination) and recognized training practices, and even significantly impact farmers, ranchers and fishermen.
Oregonians should not sign this petition for Initiative Petition 28 (IP 28), even though it is being advertised as an “end to animal cruelty” and an effort to ensure “all animals have equal protection under the law.” Scroll down for more information on the latest status, a summary of the proposal, and action you can take today.
AKC Government Relations continues to work with a broad coalition of hunters, fishermen, farmers, veterinarians and others in opposition. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks, including how to get involved should the measure qualify for the ballot.
What is the current status of IP 28?
Under Oregon law, supporters must collect 117,173 valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot. The deadline to finish gathering signatures to qualify is early July 2026.
As of late May, supporters have collected more than 120,000 signatures. We expect to see continuing signature-gathering efforts by animal extremists to offset any invalid signatures and errors.
It will likely be July or August before the state certifies that the proposal received the required number of valid signatures.
This initiative was attempted in previous election cycles, but proponents have never succeeded in getting it on the ballot. This is the most signatures supporters have collected for this measure.
What does IP 28 do?
In the words of supporters, IP28, known as the “People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE) Act, “prohibits any activity—other than self-defense and veterinary practices—that intentionally injures, kills, or sexually violates an animal, many of which are currently legal because they are exempt from our animal cruelty laws.”
Among many provisions, IP 28 does the following:
Bans and criminalizes hunting in Oregon
Criminalizes artificial insemination and equates it to sexual assault of an animal.
Criminalizes many standard husbandry practices including “reasonable handling and training techniques”, all of which are protected under current law
Provides a vague exemption for veterinary practices, but it is unclear how this would impact ear cropping and tail docking.
Removes the word “intentional”, criminalizing even unintentional harm or neglect of any animal including wildlife. No one wants to see an animal come to harm or injury, but it is an unfortunate reality that, just as with people, accidents can occur in everyday activities despite taking appropriate precautions.
This initiative will also have dire consequences on ranchers, farmers, fishermen, 4-H and similar groups, and even pest control.
What can I do to fight IP 28?
Help fight IP 28 by taking the following actions:
1) If you are approached, do not sign the petition.
2) Ask your friends and contacts not to sign the petition. Remind exhibitors at Oregon dog shows and events, students in training and CGC classes, owners who have purchased a dog from you, etc. to NOT sign the petition, and share information with them about why it’s bad so they can share it with their contacts.
3) If you notice a business distributing petitions and collecting signatures, respectfully express your concerns. Explain that there is significant misinformation about IP 28 and ask them not to collect signatures.
4) Discuss IP 28 with your fellow club members, colleagues, and neighbors to raise awareness in case IP 28 qualifies for the November 2026 ballot.
5) Watch for new updates from AKC Government Relations – Check AKC’s Legislative Action Center at www.akcgr.org for the latest updates. Also make sure your club has a designated Legislative Liaison who can receive and quickly forward our alerts.
If you have questions on IP 28, please contact AKC Government Relations at [email protected].
The American Kennel Club
