Learn more
On Monday, July 15 the Humane Rescue Alliance along with adoptable dogs joined the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, and a group of bipartisan lawmakers at the U.S. Capital, to urge the passage of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, H.R. 724. The PACT Act would make it a federal crime to commit malicious acts of cruelty to an animal on federal property or in interstate commerce.
At the event, HRA’s Vice President of Field Services, Chris Schindler, spoke in support of the PACT Act, and was joined by Reps. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., Vern Buchanan, R-Fla, and other cosponsors of the bill, including Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore.
“This bill is particularly important to us as the only animal welfare agency in the District of Columbia,” Schindler said in his remarks. “Our animal cruelty investigations often involve multiple jurisdictions and take us onto federal property. Although all fifty states, including Virginia and Maryland, have felony penalties for malicious cruelty to animals, we run into a problem when the cruelty takes place across state lines.”
The PACT Act builds on the federal animal “crush video” law enacted in 2010 which banned the creation, sale, and distribution of explicit videos that show animals being crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or subjected to other forms of monstrous cruelty. However, the 2010 law does not cover the underlying acts of cruelty. The PACT Act closes a critical loophole to enable the federal government to prosecute malicious acts of cruelty.
“Just as animals move across state lines, so does animal cruelty. This bill has broad bipartisan support because it is a necessary tool for law enforcement to provide further protections for animals and our communities. We are proud to support the passage of this critical measure.” said Lisa LaFontaine, Humane Rescue Alliance President and CEO.
On social media, HRA’s fans and followers showed their support for the #PACTAct by posting a photo of their companion animals, using the hashtags #ProtectourPets to move Congress to act now.
Please contact your Members of Congress and ask them to cosponsor the PACT Act and urge them to vote “yes” when the bill comes to the House floor for a vote.
We'll send fresh, amazing content straight to your inbox so you can keep a pulse on your animal community.
We are 100% committed to your privacy. You can unsubscribe at any time. View privacy policy here.