U.S Senate Approves Bill Making Animal Cruelty a Federal Crime

WASHINGTON D.C. – On Tuesday the United States Senate voted to unanimously approve a bill that will make animal cruelty a federal felony. 

The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act bans crushing, burning, drowning and impaling animals, among other things. Violators of the PACT Act could face up to seven years in prison.

In addition to banning cruelty and torture against animals, it gives officials the authority to go after suspected animal abusers who cross state lines. 

The bill also bans animal cruelty that is recorded on video. The 2010 Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act made creating and distributing animal crushing videos illegal but did not make the acts of cruelty illegal.

The bill has been sent to the president’s desk and if he signs it will become a federal law.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) and passed in the House on Oct. 22.