Headlines

US House Passes Bill to Make Animal Cruelty a Federal Felony

The legislation has bipartisan support.

Published

4 years ago

October 25, 2019

PETS+ Staff

A bill recently passed by the U.S. House would make abusive animal toward animals a federal felony, CBS News reports.

It’s called the the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, and it was introduced by Republican Vern Buchanan and Democrat Ted Deutch, both of Florida.

The legislation applies to offenses such as “crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling and other bodily injury” toward animals, according to CBS News.

After the bill passed in the House last week, Deutch said in a statement: “Today’s vote is a significant milestone in the bipartisan quest to end animal abuse and protect our pets. This bill sends a clear message that our society does not accept cruelty against animals.”

Violating the proposed law could bring a prison sentence of up to seven years, a fine, or both.

In order to take effect, the legislation would still need approval by the U.S. Senate.

Read more at CBS News

Related Topics:Latest News Top legislation

PETS+ Staff

Since launching in 2017, PETS+ has won more than 20 major international journalism awards for its publication and website. Contact PETS+ editors at editor@petsplusmag.com.

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