Photo of Congressman Ted Deutch and Congressman Vern Buchanan, Facebook
Yesterday, the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act (H.R. 724), introduced by Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) and Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16) to criminalize certain acts of animal cruelty.
In 2010, Congress passed the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, which made the creation and distribution of animal crushing videos illegal.
The purpose of the PACT Act is to strengthen the 2010 law that makes the depiction of animal cruelty a crime, but allows the cruelty itself to go unpunished.
The PACT Act closes this loophole by prohibiting certain cases of animal abuse. The new legislation makes it a federal crime for “any person to intentionally engage in animal crushing if the animals or animal crushing is in, substantially affects, or uses a means or facility of, interstate or foreign commerce.”
“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,” Congressman Deutch said in a statement. “We have received support from so many Americans from across the country and across the political spectrum. Animal rights activists have stood up for sentient beings that do not have a voice. Law enforcement officers have sought a federal overlay to help them stop animal abusers who are likely to commit acts of violence against people.”
“The Major County Sheriffs of America supports the PACT Act and commends Representatives Deutch and Buchanan for pushing to close a loophole in federal law,” said Major County Sheriffs of America President Sheriff Grady Judd. “It is illegal to make videos of animal torture, and it should be illegal to commit those types of inhumane atrocities against defenseless animals in the first place. We urge Congress to pass the PACT Act.”
H.R. 724 is supported by 302 Democratic and Republican Members of Congress, including Reps. Deutch and Buchanan. Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Richard Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Senate companion, S. 479.
“The torture of innocent animals is abhorrent and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” stated Congressman Buchanan. “Protecting animals from cruelty is a priority to me and I will continue to work with Congressman Deutch to get this important bill signed into law.”
The term “animal crushing” for purposes of this prohibition means the same thing as it does in regard to the depictions banned in 2010. This is defined by conduct in which one or more living non-human sentient beings are intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury.
A fact sheet for the PACT Act can be found HERE!
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