Tennessee lawmaker Andy Holt (R-Dresden) accused the Humane Society of the United States of “using animals the same way human-traffickers use 17 year old women,” and referred to undercover animal cruelty investigations as “tape and rape”.

Holt made the comments to Kayci McLeod of the Humane Society of the United States after McLeod sent him an email asking him to reconsider his position on supporting HB 1191, a bill which he sponsored. Both emails are below:

    From: Kayci McLeod [mailto:kmcleod@humanesociety.org]
    Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 1:44 PM
    To: Andy Holt
    Subject: Please Oppose HB 1191

    Dear Representative Holt:

    Have you seen the editorial in the Tennessean today opposing HB 1191, the whistleblower suppression bill intended to cover up animal cruelty? The Tennessean editorial board condemns the bill, noting that the “bill would certainly take our state in the wrong direction, toward more senseless violence.

    We very much hope you’ll agree with the Tennessean and oppose this dangerous bill. Thank you for your time and consideration.

      Kayci McLeod
      Public Policy Coordinator
      Farm Animal Protection Campaign
      The Humane Society of the United States

      Rep. Holt’s response:

      Andy Holt, (R-Dresden) sponsored “Ag Gag legislation that would effectively ensure minimal prosecution of alleged livestock abusers in Tennessee.

      Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 11:26 PM]

      To: Kayci McLeod
      Subject: RE: Please Oppose HB 1191

Ms. McLeod,

I am extremely pleased that we were able to pass HB 1191 today to help protect livestock in Tennessee from suffering months of needless investigation that propagandist groups of radical animal activists, like your fraudulent and reprehensibly disgusting organization of maligned animal abuse profiteering corporatists, who are intent on using animals the same way human-traffickers use 17 year old women. You work for a pathetic excuse for an organization and a pathetic group of sensationalists who seek to profit from animal abuse.

I am glad, as an aside, that we have limited your preferred fund-raising methods here in the state of Tennessee; a method that I refer to as “tape and rape.”

Best wishes for the failure of your organization and it’s true intent.

    Andy Holt

    State Representative – District 76
    Weakley & Northern Carroll Counties
    205 War Memorial Building
    301 6th Ave. North
    Nashville, TN 37243
    615.741.7847
    rep.andy.holt@capitol.tn.gov

    Source: Habitat for Horses.