Two Congressmen Propose Bill That Would Make Animal Cruelty A Felony Nationwide

The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act was reintroduced last week by Reps. Vern Buchanan and Ted Deutch , both of Florida, in an effort to close loopholes in animal cruelty law. The two lawmakers are seeking to strengthen animal cruelty laws by making some of the most extreme animal cruelty acts a federal offense if committed on federal land or in connection with interstate commerce. Via: Huffpost

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The bill would target people who intentionally crush, burn, drown, suffocate, impale or sexually exploit animals or otherwise subject them to serious bodily harm.

"The torture of innocent animals is abhorrent and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law," Buchanan said in a statement. "Protecting animals from cruelty is a top priority for me and I look forward to working with Congressman Deutch on this important issue."

Via RepTedDeutch
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Currently, all 50 states prohibit malicious acts of animal cruelty as felony offenses, which can be prosecuted by the states where they are caught.

But the new law specifically gives federal prosecutors the ability to pursue charges against those who commit abuses in national parks or on military bases, reserves or any other federal lands.

Via Human Society
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The PACT Act would amend the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010

That means the federal law that outlaws the creation and distribution of so-called animal crush videos ? which show animals being killed, mutilated or tortured ? so that the abuse shown in the videos is a federal crime as well.

Via Human society
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Those suspected of committing such crimes would face federal felony charges, fines and up to seven years in prison.

Via cvbugle