Senate unanimously OKs bill making animal cruelty a federal felony

[Gefn]

The U.S. Senate passed a bill unanimously Tuesday that categorizes animal cruelty as a federal felony.

The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act was approved by the Senate after passing the House last month. The legislation would expand a current law passed in 2010 that bans animal fighting but only counts animal cruelty as a felony if a person videotapes the harm.

https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/nov/6/senate-categorizes-animal-cruelty-federal-felony-u/

[Gefn]

I can’t read the entire story but imho there is a place in heck for people who hurt animals.

[Free Vulcan]

I don't like making something like this Federal. Way to easy to use as a justification of some pre-dawn SWAT raid and manufactured chages by vindictive Fed bureaucrats against their political opposition.

[Gefn]

I don't like making something like this Federal. Way to easy to use as a justification of some pre-dawn SWAT raid and manufactured chages by vindictive Fed bureaucrats against their political opposition.

It’s up to the President to sign it now or veto it. It may be interesting because he’s the first president not to have a first animal in the White House

[mountaineer]

I fully support laws against animal cruelty, but they should be enacted on the state level - only.

[Wingnut]

Dogs have more rights than the about to be born

[Sighlass]

Nope, not a good law... love my animals, but this is BS. If I want to kill my dog and eat it, none of your damn business. If the wife suddenly decides she fancies a cat fur coat, none of your damn business.

[aligncare]

I fully support laws against animal cruelty, but they should be enacted on the state level - only.

We’ve been trending down the path towards a national government for a long time. The founders would not recognize the federal government today.

[Wingnut]

Nope, not a good law... love my animals, but this is BS. If I want to kill my dog and eat it, none of your damn business.

There goes the Wok on Wheels.

[PeteS in CA]

I fully support laws against animal cruelty, but they should be enacted on the state level - only.

Ditto. This is a matter for the states, not the Feds (unless true interstate commerce is involved). I'm only speaking to proper jurisdiction.

[Elderberry]

I had to look. I was afeared that they'd go after me for dispatching "Tree Rats".

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/724/text

[austingirl]

We’ve been trending down the path towards a national government for a long time. The founders would not recognize the federal government today.

QFT

[GtHawk]

It’s up to the President to sign it now or veto it. It may be interesting because he’s the first president not to have a first animal in the White House

The last pet-less leader in American history was Andrew Johnson, who left office in 1869

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2017/07/17/a-key-white-house-post-remains-unfilled-first-pet

[Gefn]

The last pet-less leader in American history was Andrew Johnson, who left office in 1869

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2017/07/17/a-key-white-house-post-remains-unfilled-first-pet

I stand corrected, and it’s a good piece of trivia to know. I read that on a news wire when he was first in the WH, but I guess they didn’t have a good fact checker. Thanks @GtHawk

[IsailedawayfromFR]

This is a law emphasizing the need for a requirement that the specific Constitutional authority be imbedded within law that permits the law.

There is not Constitutional authority for this law/

[Smokin Joe]

Precisely. Where in the Constitution is the Federal Government given the power to prosecute animal cruelty?

This should be up to the States to decide.

[sneakypete]

I love animals as much as anyone,but this is clearly a step too far. These crimes are local matters,and should remain within the realm of local authorities.

We should be trying to REDUCE the reach of the Federal arm,not extending it.

[libertybele]

I fully support laws against animal cruelty, but they should be enacted on the state level - only.

Absolutely!  I find it disheartening that we don't have a federal law against late term abortion -- the ultimate cruelty.