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Animal Cruelty Is Now Officially A Nationwide Felony In The USA
With so many stories about animal cruelty surfacing ever so often, it’s only natural people would want laws to be adjusted accordingly to make that no longer acceptable in any case. Despite the fact that it may sound a little bit like utopia, the effort to make laws reflect people’s values has been made as the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture PACT (Act) was signed, finally making it illegal to engage in cruel acts towards animals.
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The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (or PACT) Act was signed on November 25
Image credits: VernBuchanan
The PACT Act was signed on Monday, November 25 by President Trump and marked a symbolic victory in the battle for animal rights. “I am pleased to sign the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act into law,” Trump said putting his signature on the bill. “It is important that we combat these heinous and sadistic acts of cruelty, which are totally unacceptable in a civilized society.”
Making it illegal to engage in cruel acts towards animals
Image credits: RepTedDeutch
According to the official Congress website, “The PACT Act makes “animal crushing” a nationwide felony in the U.S. Animal crushing is defined as when any “living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians is purposely crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury.”
Cruelty against animals can now be punished by up to seven years in prison
Image credits: HumaneSociety
Sadly, that still leaves a lot of animals in the U.S. unprotected by law, since the bill excludes treatment of livestock in the animal agriculture industry; slaughtering animals for food; procedures in the veterinary field or other related industries; hunting, trapping, and fishing; predator and pest control; scientific or medical research; euthanasia; and self-defense. While some might see it as reasonable, some people are really unhappy and oppose these exceptions.
The PACT act was first introduced earlier this year and is an extension of a law that President Obama first passed in 2010
Image credits: johnfsessa
Even though this act was introduced earlier this year, it’s an extension of a law passed by President Obama in 2010. It recently passed in the House and the Senate and after few weeks of waiting finally reached the desk of the President. It was quite expected from him to sign because the bill was supported by both Republicans and Democrats in the House and the Senate.
Most people seemed excited but there were some that saw how it could be improved
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What do you think ?
Patrick James 6 years ago
One signature doesn't negate being a terrible human being. This should always be a law regardless of who's in office.
Gwinevere von Ludwig 6 years ago
Let's not get too excited. Trump has also rolled back protections of endangered species, among many other horrible things he's done to this planet. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/457086-trump-administration-rolls-back-endangered-species-protections
Andy from Beaverton 6 years ago
It was a crime when his EPA removed a plug on the Gold King Mine in 2015 and sent 3 million gallons of toxic mine waste down the Animas River. Why it got almost zero news coverage is beyond me. All life was destroyed.
Load More Replies...
Full Name 6 years ago
Exactly. Take each step as a victory and go for more. People expect perfection right away or else they just complain.
Load More Replies...
WilvanderHeijden 6 years ago
I'm sure that Peta won't chance their policies of killing healthy animals because of this law. Because they are "liberating" animals by euthanising them.
Bevie 6 years ago
Thank you a zillion times over Mr. President!!!! FINALLY.....somebody actually did something about the problem. This is the best post I’ve ever read on Panda!
Monika Rhodes 6 years ago
While he rolled back protections of endangered species too? yeah, great. But those are foreign animals- so you don't care...
Load More Replies...
Candice Ravel 6 years ago
Murder is also a felony, yet isn't always charged as such. Unless this starts getting enforced and charged as a felony, it's not going to matter. People who are cruel to animals are monsters and should be punished as such.
Hermalyn Iaukea 6 years ago
This is so good! I'm glad they turned it into a felony! It's about time!
Karen Vidrio-Aguirre 6 years ago
This should've been a law in the first place. Ridiculous. I guess it's the only good thing to come from this administration.
Wild child 6 years ago
Why start fuggin now? Should have been a law like 1000 years ago!! And this might not stop cruelty u realise, people should just NOT be cruel, its common sense!!!!!
sharron lynn parsons 6 years ago
Yes, this is great, however, why did it not include all animals, each and everyone, we know some who starve farm animals, what about all wild animals, Gods creatures !!!
Fern Cornelius 6 years ago
sharron lynn parsons, if the law included all wild animals, construction would stop since it infringes on their habitats. Mouse traps would be illegal. Eating meat would be a crime. If it extended to God's insects, you couldn't drive a car (they die on impact), farm vegetables or fruit. What you're suggesting is ridiculous.
Load More Replies...
AlphaPuck 6 years ago
And just like that, Democrats are now pro animal cruelty just so they can be against Trump lol.
earringnut 6 years ago
I may not be pro Trump but he did a good thing. Doesn't make up for for all the selfish ways he broke the law and the country, but he did a good thing.
Load More Replies...
TIffany Jones 6 years ago
Anyone see the video of the two kids and the deer? I’m embarrassed of my state. And they should get the same exact punishment. Whatever you do to the animal is done to you. Bottom line.
Fern Cornelius 6 years ago
Will homeless people who have a dog be charged with a federal crime now?
Fern Cornelius 6 years ago
I think they will. It goes along with all the other laws that punish the homeless. The homeless must not be helped. They must be punished in America. Anyone who gives them food will be arrested. But this has nothing to do with Trump. It started happening during Obama's admin.
Load More Replies... 
Full Name 6 years ago
This article was about a bill passed with support from both sides of the aisle? What's wrong with you that you read that and your takeaway is about how divided people are?
Load More Replies...
Christie Wright 6 years ago
I am for the smallest government possible but if you're training and encouraging animals to fight you're a horrible person. My dogs started fighting when they were 3 years old and it's the most horrible sound and sight to see.
Hermalyn Iaukea 6 years ago
No matter what we can't make everybody happy all of the time but I am one of the happy ones for this new law that just got signed by President Trump. I Don't like HIM but I love HIS decision to sign this PACT into law!!!
Monika Rhodes 6 years ago
But he rolled back protections of endangered species? So what's your point on that?
Load More Replies... dev mehta 6 years ago
Grinding up millions of animals into burgers is apparently not animal cruelty.
Kim Bush 6 years ago
As long overdue as this is, I can't help but think how hypercritical it is of Trump to be doing it now. After all the damage he has done to this nation's wildlife and to it's protected and endangered species this feels like nothing more than an attempt for good will because of what is going on with the impeachment hearings. How many thousands of wild horses lives are worth being lost? He will release protected land so his friend can get an airstrip built in the middle of nowhere on that land. But people are shaking his hand now.... Hypocrite.
Kay Trudell 6 years ago
First, let me say that people who abuse helpless animals should get exactly what's coming to them. I have no tolerance for that type of behavior. But folks, isn't this a bit hypocritical that a nation that sees fit to make torturing or killing or abusing a helpless animals a felony is the same nation that proudly allows abortion all nine months on a helpless, innocent human baby? Hurting or killing an innocent animal = felony. Hurting or killing an innocent unborn human = protected by law and a "woman's right".
Hermalyn Iaukea 6 years ago
@gvl you are the weakest link....positivity is a strong suite try to wear it sometimes. This is not a political debate and anyone, strong, mostly weak can so easily be negative......
WilvanderHeijden 6 years ago
Peta won't die. They are not cruel to animals. They just euthanise them as much as they can. As Peta says: " euthanasia is often the most compassionate and dignified way for unwanted animals to leave the world." Where "unwanted" = "homeless".
Load More Replies...
zef rose 6 years ago
Just before he signed this law, Trump pardoned and praised soldiers who committed documented and proven gross atrocities to the bodies of men and boys, as they tortured them to death. Are people not animals too?
Concerned 6 years ago
Animal cruelty is already illegal and enforced where it should be - at the local level. These (and many other) federal laws will only be used to harass people for what is ethical at the local level. In this case: hunting, farming, and ranching. The federal government's role is defense and interstate commerce. Outside of that, it needs to GTFO out of people's lives.
Night Owl 6 years ago
the bill excludes treatment of livestock in the animal agriculture industry; slaughtering animals for food; procedures in the veterinary field or other related industries; hunting, trapping, and fishing; predator and pest control; scientific or medical research; euthanasia; and self-defense
Load More Replies...
Patrick James 6 years ago
One signature doesn't negate being a terrible human being. This should always be a law regardless of who's in office.
Gwinevere von Ludwig 6 years ago
Let's not get too excited. Trump has also rolled back protections of endangered species, among many other horrible things he's done to this planet. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/457086-trump-administration-rolls-back-endangered-species-protections
Andy from Beaverton 6 years ago
It was a crime when his EPA removed a plug on the Gold King Mine in 2015 and sent 3 million gallons of toxic mine waste down the Animas River. Why it got almost zero news coverage is beyond me. All life was destroyed.
Load More Replies... Full Name 6 years ago
Exactly. Take each step as a victory and go for more. People expect perfection right away or else they just complain.
Load More Replies... WilvanderHeijden 6 years ago
I'm sure that Peta won't chance their policies of killing healthy animals because of this law. Because they are "liberating" animals by euthanising them.
Bevie 6 years ago
Thank you a zillion times over Mr. President!!!! FINALLY.....somebody actually did something about the problem. This is the best post I’ve ever read on Panda!
Monika Rhodes 6 years ago
While he rolled back protections of endangered species too? yeah, great. But those are foreign animals- so you don't care...
Load More Replies... Candice Ravel 6 years ago
Murder is also a felony, yet isn't always charged as such. Unless this starts getting enforced and charged as a felony, it's not going to matter. People who are cruel to animals are monsters and should be punished as such.
Hermalyn Iaukea 6 years ago
This is so good! I'm glad they turned it into a felony! It's about time!
Karen Vidrio-Aguirre 6 years ago
This should've been a law in the first place. Ridiculous. I guess it's the only good thing to come from this administration.
Wild child 6 years ago
Why start fuggin now? Should have been a law like 1000 years ago!! And this might not stop cruelty u realise, people should just NOT be cruel, its common sense!!!!!
sharron lynn parsons 6 years ago
Yes, this is great, however, why did it not include all animals, each and everyone, we know some who starve farm animals, what about all wild animals, Gods creatures !!!
Fern Cornelius 6 years ago
sharron lynn parsons, if the law included all wild animals, construction would stop since it infringes on their habitats. Mouse traps would be illegal. Eating meat would be a crime. If it extended to God's insects, you couldn't drive a car (they die on impact), farm vegetables or fruit. What you're suggesting is ridiculous.
Load More Replies... AlphaPuck 6 years ago
And just like that, Democrats are now pro animal cruelty just so they can be against Trump lol.
earringnut 6 years ago
I may not be pro Trump but he did a good thing. Doesn't make up for for all the selfish ways he broke the law and the country, but he did a good thing.
Load More Replies... TIffany Jones 6 years ago
Anyone see the video of the two kids and the deer? I’m embarrassed of my state. And they should get the same exact punishment. Whatever you do to the animal is done to you. Bottom line.
Fern Cornelius 6 years ago
Will homeless people who have a dog be charged with a federal crime now?
Fern Cornelius 6 years ago
I think they will. It goes along with all the other laws that punish the homeless. The homeless must not be helped. They must be punished in America. Anyone who gives them food will be arrested. But this has nothing to do with Trump. It started happening during Obama's admin.
Load More Replies... Full Name 6 years ago
This article was about a bill passed with support from both sides of the aisle? What's wrong with you that you read that and your takeaway is about how divided people are?
Load More Replies... Christie Wright 6 years ago
I am for the smallest government possible but if you're training and encouraging animals to fight you're a horrible person. My dogs started fighting when they were 3 years old and it's the most horrible sound and sight to see.
Hermalyn Iaukea 6 years ago
No matter what we can't make everybody happy all of the time but I am one of the happy ones for this new law that just got signed by President Trump. I Don't like HIM but I love HIS decision to sign this PACT into law!!!
Monika Rhodes 6 years ago
But he rolled back protections of endangered species? So what's your point on that?
Load More Replies... dev mehta 6 years ago
Grinding up millions of animals into burgers is apparently not animal cruelty.
Kim Bush 6 years ago
As long overdue as this is, I can't help but think how hypercritical it is of Trump to be doing it now. After all the damage he has done to this nation's wildlife and to it's protected and endangered species this feels like nothing more than an attempt for good will because of what is going on with the impeachment hearings. How many thousands of wild horses lives are worth being lost? He will release protected land so his friend can get an airstrip built in the middle of nowhere on that land. But people are shaking his hand now.... Hypocrite.
Kay Trudell 6 years ago
First, let me say that people who abuse helpless animals should get exactly what's coming to them. I have no tolerance for that type of behavior. But folks, isn't this a bit hypocritical that a nation that sees fit to make torturing or killing or abusing a helpless animals a felony is the same nation that proudly allows abortion all nine months on a helpless, innocent human baby? Hurting or killing an innocent animal = felony. Hurting or killing an innocent unborn human = protected by law and a "woman's right".
Hermalyn Iaukea 6 years ago
@gvl you are the weakest link....positivity is a strong suite try to wear it sometimes. This is not a political debate and anyone, strong, mostly weak can so easily be negative......
WilvanderHeijden 6 years ago
Peta won't die. They are not cruel to animals. They just euthanise them as much as they can. As Peta says: " euthanasia is often the most compassionate and dignified way for unwanted animals to leave the world." Where "unwanted" = "homeless".
Load More Replies... zef rose 6 years ago
Just before he signed this law, Trump pardoned and praised soldiers who committed documented and proven gross atrocities to the bodies of men and boys, as they tortured them to death. Are people not animals too?
Concerned 6 years ago
Animal cruelty is already illegal and enforced where it should be - at the local level. These (and many other) federal laws will only be used to harass people for what is ethical at the local level. In this case: hunting, farming, and ranching. The federal government's role is defense and interstate commerce. Outside of that, it needs to GTFO out of people's lives.
Night Owl 6 years ago
the bill excludes treatment of livestock in the animal agriculture industry; slaughtering animals for food; procedures in the veterinary field or other related industries; hunting, trapping, and fishing; predator and pest control; scientific or medical research; euthanasia; and self-defense
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