The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT), Act S.479, is one step closer to becoming law after the United States Senate voted unanimously yesterday to pass the legislation which would outlaw a heinous form of animal abuse known as “crushing.” The legislation now advances to the President for his signature.
The term “animal crushing” for purposes of this prohibition 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.
“Passing this legislation is a major victory in the effort to stop animal cruelty and make our communities safer,” Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa), who sponsored the bipartisan bill with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn),” said in a statement. “Evidence shows that the deranged individuals who harm animals often move on to committing acts of violence against people. It is appropriate that the federal government have strong animal cruelty laws and penalties.”
“There is no place in a civilized society for maiming and torturing animals – period,” Senator Blumenthal shared on his Twitter account. “Senator Toomey and I have spent years working to hold the barbaric individuals who commit these crimes accountable, and I’m glad that Congress is now finally sending our bill to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”
Despite taking steps in 2010 to ban the sale of videos depicting animal crushing, Congress failed to make the underlying act of crushing a federal crime. This means that, even when there is overwhelming evidence that torture is taking place, federal law enforcement is unable to protect animals from abuse or even arrest known abusers.
The PACT Act would ensure that individuals found guilty of torturing animals face felony charges, fines, and up to seven years in prison.
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