In a significant legislative move, the U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously approved a bill that designates certain forms of animal cruelty as a federal felony. The legislation, known as the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, criminalizes intentional acts of animal crushing, which includes severe mistreatment such as burning, drowning, suffocating, or sexually exploiting animals. This law specifically applies to cases where the offenses occur in relation to interstate or foreign commerce.
The PACT Act builds on the 2010 Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, which made the production and distribution of animal crushing videos illegal but did not address the acts themselves. Animal crushing is described as brutal torture inflicted on small animals like kittens, puppies, and bunnies, often depicted in grotesque videos. “This bill unequivocally conveys that our society will not tolerate cruelty towards animals,” stated Rep. Mark Thompson, a co-sponsor alongside Rep. Lisa Hartman. “We are grateful for the widespread support from citizens across the political spectrum, and we eagerly await the Senate’s approval and the President’s signature.”
Currently, federal animal protection laws like the Animal Welfare Act exist, but the majority of animal cruelty legislation is managed at the state level. In states where animal cruelty is merely a misdemeanor, offenders may only face minimal penalties, such as a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The PACT Act is limited to federal jurisdiction and will not override state laws.
Mary Johnson, president of the Animal Advocacy Coalition, expressed her relief upon the bill’s passage. “In my decades of working in animal protection, I’ve witnessed horrific acts of cruelty, particularly those involving intentional torture. These actions demonstrate a disturbing disregard for vulnerable beings,” Johnson stated. “With this bill, federal authorities will finally possess the necessary tools to hold perpetrators accountable for their heinous acts against animals.”
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In summary, the PACT Act represents a crucial step forward in the fight against animal cruelty on a federal level, ensuring that offenders face serious consequences for their actions.