Federal Animal Anti-Cruelty Bill Passes in U.S. Senate
Great news for all creatures great and small. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday night that would make extreme animal cruelty a federal crime.
The PACT (Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture) Act revises a 2010 law that only prohibited animal fighting and criminalized offenders if they made and sold videos showing animal cruelty or "animal crushing". The act would prohibit extreme acts of cruelty when they occur in interstate commerce or on federal property and it cracks down on sexual abuse of animals.
There are exceptions for hunting.
The PACT act would not interfere with local animal cruelty laws or enforcement.
Offenders of the PACT act would face felony charges with fines and up to seven years in prison.
Meanwhile, according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Kentucky has ranked last in the country for animal protection laws for the past 12 years. For example, state law forbids veterinarians from reporting animal abuse. The latest study was released in January. HERE are the current Kentucky animal protection laws and exceptions.
The PACT act now awaits the President's signature.