Animal Cruelty Now a Federal Felony

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November 24, 2019

Animal cruelty is now a federal felony, at least in part.

That's the result of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate after being approved by a wide margin by the House of Representatives a few weeks beforehand.

The bill toughens the terms of the 2010 Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act to ban people from such activity in interstate of foreign commerce. In particular, the law proscribes harsh punishments, including both heavy fines and substantial prison terms, for anyone who causes "serious bodily injury" to animals.

Illustrating the widespread bipartisan support for the bill, the main sponsors of the bill in each house were one Democrat and one Republican. Sponsoring the bill in the Senate were Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Pat Toomey, R-Pa. Introducing the bill in the House were Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., and Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla.

All of the 50 states have laws that prevent cruelty against animals. The new federal law extends such protection to situations in which such activity crosses states lines or occurs in military bases or some airports, which technically have federal jurisdiction.

The leaders of the Humane Society, the Animal Wellness Foundation, and many other organizations had earlier voiced approval for the bill.

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Social Studies for Kids
copyright 2002–2023
David White

Social Studies for Kids
copyright 2002–2024
David White