PETA challenges Mass. wiretapping law to expose animal abuse

State of play: PETA is seeking a legal exemption to conduct undercover investigations into animal abuse.

• The group brought the suit against Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Hampden County District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni in U.S. District Court.
• Campbell's office declined to comment.

The state's current law prevents investigators from secretly recording conversations in facilities like slaughterhouses and laboratories, according to PETA.

• The two-party consent law blocks the group's efforts to collect evidence of criminal abuse.
• PETA wants Massachusetts to follow other two-party consent states that allow whistleblower exemptions.

The big picture: PETA says its past investigations have exposed systematic abuse at facilities nationwide, and led to criminal convictions and the rescue of thousands of animals.

What's next: The PETA challenge comes as some lawmakers want to restructure the wiretapping laws.

• There is separate legislation to protect recording victims of domestic violence and other crimes filed in the Senate.