An Amish man from Loyal has been cited for failing to comply with Wisconsin's Livestock Premise Registration law. Clark County District Attorney Darwin Zwieg calls the filing a "test case" He hopes will determine if the state law passes Constitutional muster.
Filed as a "complex forfeiture," not a criminal matter, Zwieg alleges Emmanuel 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 believes this is the first time the law has been tested in court.
During an initial appearance on Thursday morning, Clark County Circuit Court Judge Jon Counsell said he would attempt to find an attorney to represent the Old Order Amish's argument.
Amish are reluctant to seek legal representation.
A scheduling hearing is set for December 17.
AUDIO: Paul Knoff reports (MP3 :52)
