On Tuesday, the Senate has unanimously passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, which makes animal cruelty a federal felony. This expands on a bill passed in 2010, which prohibited animal fighting and only had legal consequences if the animal cruelty was videoed and sold.
Currently, all 50 states have state laws against animal cruelty; the PAST Act will expand on the consequences of animal abuse. It has been proven that those who are cruel to animals often turn to violence against people.
If signed by President Trump, a person can be prosecuted for burning, crushing, drowning, impaling, suffocating or sexually exploiting animals. Anyone convicted of these acts will face federal felony charges, monetary fines and up to seven years in prison.
Authorities will have federal jurisdiction and will be able to charge those who abuse animals. In addition, authorities will be able to prosecute those who abuse animals on federal property.
The bill, endorsed by the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Fraternal Order of Police, has exceptions for hunting.
Read more at CNN.
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