NEILLSVILLE, Wis. — An Amish livestock farmer who refused to follow a 2005 Wisconsin law requiring him to register his land and livestock has won a legal battle with state regulators.

Clark County Circuit Judge Jon Counsell ruled yesterday in favor of Emanuel Miller Jr., of Loyal, who was accused of violating the law meant to help regulators track animal diseases.

Some Amish say the tracking system would amount to the "mark of the beast" mentioned in the Bible as being related to Satan.

Counsell determined in State of Wisconsin v. Miller that the state failed to show why alternatives that would not affect Miller's religious freedom would not be just as effective.

Assistant state veterinarian Paul McGraw told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he expects the state to appeal.