ANIMAL CRUELTY IS A FELONY IN THE USA

As of 2014, every state in the U.S. has felony provisions for convictions of animal cruelty. More recent provisions make animal cruelty a class A felony in all states, classifying it as the most serious type of charge alongside crimes such as homicide and arson. Conviction of a class A felony involves hefty prison sentences as well as large fines as established by individual states. Beginning in January 2016, individuals convicted of animal cruelty crimes are now being entered into the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS), a database used to record crime by the FBI. 

​FEDERAL LAWS ENACTED TO PROTECT ANIMALS NATIONWIDE

At the federal level, Congress has repeatedly made it clear that ensuring the humane treatment of animals requires national policies through the passage of federal laws. These laws cover a wide array of animals including; domestic pets, wildlife, livestock, and marine life through statutes including; the Horse Protection Act, the Animal Welfare Act, and the PACT Act. 

LACK OF ENFORCEMENT

​While the U.S. has laws in place to protect animals from torture and abuse, there's a severe lack of enforcement. The good news is that legislation has been introduced to increase the investigation and prosecution of individuals that are abusing animals under the statutes of federal law. The Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act, H.R.1016, would create a dedicated Animal Cruelty Crimes Section at the Department of Justice to help bring those who abuse animals to justice—and will include reporting measures to track the progress.

Studies show that there is a close link between animal cruelty and violence toward people. By supporting the DOJ’s efforts to bring charges against perpetrators of animal cruelty crimes, the ACE Act aims to prevent individuals with a propensity for violence from causing further harm to animals or turning that violence against people in their communities.  

PASS THE ACE ACT, H.R.1016

Federal statues that protect animals from cruelty (including horse soring and animal fighting) are rarely prosecuted due to a lack of funding and limited staff. If passed into law, the Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act, H.R.1016, would establish a dedicated animal cruelty crimes division within the U.S. Department of Justice.  Help pass this crucial legislation by reaching out to your members of Congress.

TAKE ACTION