Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives have re-introduced a bill last week that would make malicious acts of animal cruelty a felony nationwide.
A person convicted of the crime could face a fine or up to seven years in prison, or both.
The bill, known as the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, is co-sponsored by Democrat Ted Deutch and Republican Vern Buchanan, both of whom are from Florida. PACT would criminalize harming or exploitation of animals in cruel manners.
Right now, all 50 states have laws in their books against animal cruelty on the state level, but things get fuzzy if the animal being tortured crosses state lines.
If the bill passes, authorities can go after the wrongdoers because they have federal jurisdiction. They can also prosecute criminals if the cruelty occurs on federal property.
“This is commonsense, bipartisan legislation to bring some compassion to our animal laws,” Rep. Deutch said. “We’ve acted in the past to stop the horrific trend of animal abuse videos; now it’s time to make the underlying acts of cruelty a crime as well.”
Rep. Buchanan also said that protecting animals from cruelty is a “top priority” for him.
“The torture of innocent animals is abhorrent and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” Buchanan tweeted.
The legislation does contain exceptions for hunting, veterinary care, and actions necessary to protect life or property from a serious threat from an animal.
By: Maytinee Kramer
