Bill looks to make animal cruelty a federal felony

Two lawmakers, a Republican and a Democrat, proposed a bill that would crack down on animal abuse throughout the country by making it a federal felony.

Animal lovers we spoke to on Monday tell us, they believe a bill like this is long overdue.

Russell Lederman, a dog owner said, “Any living entity that can’t speak for itself or protect itself should be protected federally.”

The bill is called the PACT Act, which stands for Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture.

Lucas Geoghegan, another dog owner we spoke to said, “I think it’s great I mean, I think people should be able to get penalized for everything that they do to a dog.”

Under the act, anyone convicted of bestiality or of “crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating or impaling animals” would face federal charges, heavy fines and up to seven years in prison.

Lederman said, “I would think it should be a federal crime.”

The Act aims to address a nationwide problem. Kevin Usilton, the Interim Director of the Humane Society of Wicomico County explained, “If people have a felony conviction in the state of Maryland, for example, they move to North Carolina, they get new animals, there’s no consequence for them so they can just perpetually abuse animals all over the United States.”

Under the new Act, animal abusers would be held accountable no matter where they live.

Usilton said, “So that would limit the number of animals that get abuse by perpetual animal abusers.”

People we spoke to on Monday tell us they’re happy to see lawmakers taking action.

Lederman said, “I mean we’re one country and we should have one perspective on taking care of our pets and other things that can’t speak for themselves.”

Federal Law already prohibits animal fighting. It also criminalizes animal cruelty if the wrongdoers create and sell videos of them doing the act. This bill is just another step legislators are taking in an effort to protect all of our animals.

The PACT Act has been endorsed by the National Sheriffs Association and the Fraternal Order of Police.