Toomey and Blumenthal Introduce Bipartisan Bill Banning Most Egregious Form of Animal Abuse

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today reintroduced the bipartisan Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act. The PACT Act seeks to outlaw a heinous deadly form of animal maiming and torture known as "crushing." If enacted, the PACT Act would be the first-ever federal law to grant all animals federal protections against cruelty and abuse.

Despite taking steps in 2010 to ban the sale of videos depicting animal crushing, Congress did not make the underlying act of crushing a federal crime. This means that-even when there is overwhelming evidence that torture is taking place-federal law enforcement is currently unable to protect animals from abuse or even arrest known abusers. The Senate passed the bipartisan PACT Act unanimously in the last session of Congress.

Individuals found guilty of torturing animals would face felony charges, fines, and up to seven years in prison.

"There is absolutely no place for the crushing of animals in our society," said Sen. Toomey. "It is blatantly inhumane and astonishingly cruel. I can't believe this isn't already against the law, and I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to end this abhorrent practice. This bipartisan bill is the first step towards that goal."

"This bipartisan bill states emphatically that maiming and torturing an animal to death is inhumane, illegal and intolerable in a civilized society," Sen. Blumenthal said. "While punishing this heinous behavior should be common sense, federal law currently allows many people who inflict barbaric harm on animals to walk free. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill without delay."

"It's long past time that Congress empowers the FBI and U.S. Attorneys to deal with particularly malicious and deviant acts of cruelty on federal property or that cross state lines-especially given the well-documented link between animal abuse and other forms of violent behavior. This commonsense legislation passed the Senate last year with enormous bipartisan support, and now we urge the House to take up this measure swiftly to fortify the legal framework against cruelty in the United States," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.

The PACT Act is endorsed by the Humane Society of the United States, National Sheriffs' Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Major County Sheriffs' Association, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and the Major Cities Chiefs Association.