Wisconsin Ag Connection - Amish Premise Registration Case Moves Forward

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Amish Premise Registration Case Moves Forward
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 12/23/2008

A test case in the on-going dispute between an Amish community in Clark County and the State of Wisconsin is moving forward. According to WCCN Radio, Clark County District Attorney Darwin Zwieg cited an Amish man from Loyal for failing to comply with Wisconsin's Livestock Premise Registration law. Filed as a "complex forfeiture," not a criminal matter, Zwieg alleges Emanuel Miller Jr. of Loyal hasn't complied with the law requiring livestock owners to register their property with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture.

While state officials say the law is meant to simplify a response to disease outbreaks, many Old Order Amish farmers refuse to comply, saying it is just the first step toward the eventual tagging of all animals, or the Mark of the Beast.

Zwieg says he wants to see if the law passes Constitutional muster and believes this is the first time the law has been tested in court. Black River Falls attorney Ken Artis is participating as a 'Friend of the Court,' representing the Amish, who are reluctant to seek legal help. He's filed a motion to dismiss the case and plans to seek assistance from an attorney from New York.

Meanwhile, a scheduling hearing is set for March 20. From there, the Court will likely hold an evidentiary hearing featuring testimony from the Department of Agriculture and other experts.

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