Second Chance: Preventing Animal Cruelty & Torture (PACT) Act

06 Feb Second Chance: Preventing Animal Cruelty & Torture (PACT) Act

Second Chance Humane Society Animal Resource Center and Thrift Shops service San Miguel, Ouray & Montrose Counties. Call the SCHS Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter, Volunteer, Feral Cat, or other Programs. View our shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.

Miller

Today I write to share more good news on the political front. I know I am a dog and by nature not interested in politics – and I also know that the term “good news on the political front” can raise a few eyebrows these days – but if you were an animal you would agree this is good.

Stay curious with me here people…

A bipartisan, common-sense policy that will protect animals is in the works. The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act was reintroduced a few weeks ago by Reps. Vern Buchanan (R) and Ted Deutch (D), both of Florida, in an effort to close loopholes in current animal cruelty law.

Vern and Ted, you rock.

This act will make some of the most extreme animal cruelty acts a federal offense if committed on federal land or in connection with interstate commerce. “

The torture of innocent animals is abhorrent and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” Buchanan said in a statement.

Currently, all 50 states prohibit malicious acts of animal cruelty as felony offenses, which can be prosecuted by the states where they are caught. But the aim of this new law is to give federal prosecutors the ability to pursue charges against those who commit abuses in national parks or on military bases, reserves or any other federal lands. The same goes for animal cruelty when it involves abused animals crossing state lines.

“Federal prosecutors are saying that there is no legal recourse when there’s a crime on federal property, this is a common-sense measure,” said Tracie Letterman, the vice president of federal affairs for the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “It’s talking about extreme animal cruelty. It’s not kicking a puppy. We’re talking about serious bodily injury,” Letterman said of the targeted abuse.

The PACT Act would also amend a federal law that outlaws the creation and distribution of videos which show animals being killed, mutilated or tortured. Thus, showing the abuse in the videos would be a federal crime as well. (Currently it only applies to when the video was being produced.)

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the PACT Act twice before, and it earned 284 bipartisan House cosponsors and over 200 law enforcement endorsements in the previous session of Congress. But in the House, the measure was blocked from coming to the floor by former Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., who, most thankfully in my opinion, is no longer in Congress.

Let’s keep the momentum going and get this thing passed!

My name is Miller. I am a handsome two-year-young Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix (Pomahuahua?) who was rescued from a puppy mill. Puppy mills are cruel too and therefore I strongly endorse the PACT Act. Love always wins and so it has in my case. Despite my history, once I get to know you, I am cuddly and affectionate as well as playful with people and dogs. I would feel best in a home with a secure fence and family who are accepting of my special dietary needs. Valentine’s Day is only a week away – let me dazzle you with my devotion – come meet me today.