All I can say is, it’s about time….
On November 25, 2019, an important and historic law was passed in the United States. President Trump signed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT Act) into law, which now makes it a federal crime to be cruel to animals.
The law went into effect immediately, and people who violate the PACT Act can face up to seven years in jail. President Trump said, “I am pleased to sign the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act into law. It is important that we combat these heinous and sadistic acts of cruelty, which are totally unacceptable in a civilized society.”
The new PACT Act is an extension of a law that President Obama passed in 2010. It was introduced earlier this year and passed both the House and the Senate. The bipartisan bill was authored by Ted Deutch, a Democrat from Florida, and Vern Buchanan, a Republican who is also from Florida.
The new law makes “animal crushing” a nationwide felony. This is defined as when “living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians is purposely crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury.”
Kitty Block, the CEO of the Humane Society, said, “It’s a watershed moment. Animal protection is such a vital issue. We are so grateful for the signing today, and for the support of the American people, and all the legislators who stood behind us, this is an incredibly important moment, and for such a great cause.”
This is long overdue, in my opinion.
