A new animal rights initiative in Oregon would require residents to use non-lethal methods to manage pests — potentially criminalizing hunting, fishing and even standard mouse traps.
Under Initiative 28 (I-28), also known as the “Peace Act,” homeowners with rodent infestations could be forced to use live-catch traps or birth-control bait for up to two years before rodents naturally pass away. The law would extend legal protections currently afforded to companion animals to a wide range of wildlife, including nonhuman mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
I-28 would eliminate exemptions that currently allow for animal husbandry practices, slaughtering livestock, hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife management. The initiative states that intentional injury to protected animals would be criminalized, with exceptions only for self-defense or veterinary procedures.
David Michelson, a Portland-based animal rights activist and former psychologist, is the primary sponsor of I-28. He describes himself as a vegan who advocates for extended protections for all animals.
The initiative has already gathered over 117,000 signatures to appear on the November 3 ballot. Critics note that such broad protections could have unintended consequences, including restrictions on mosquito control and other pest management practices.
A New York City resident described a similar scenario where a neighbor spent $750 repairing his vehicle after rodents chewed through wiring — highlighting potential financial impacts under I-28’s requirements.