§2160 — Title 7 Agriculture | U.S. Code

Summary

You must not on purpose kill a dog or cat so people can eat it, or move, ship, sell, buy, keep, or give a dog, cat, or their parts for people to eat. This rule only applies when the activity crosses state or national borders or happens in places under U.S. federal control. An Indian (see 25 U.S.C. 5304 for the definition) may do this for a religious ceremony. Breaking the rule can bring a fine up to $5,000 for each offense. States and local governments can still have animal-protection laws and may make stricter rules.

Title 7, §2160

Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Except as provided in subsection (c), no person may—

(1)knowingly slaughter a dog or cat for human consumption; or

(2)knowingly ship, transport, move, deliver, receive, possess, purchase, sell, or donate—

(A)a dog or cat to be slaughtered for human consumption; or

(B)a dog or cat part for human consumption.

(b)Subsection (a) shall apply only with respect to conduct—

(1)in or affecting interstate commerce or foreign commerce; or

(2)within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.

(c)The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to an Indian (as defined in section 5304 of title 25) carrying out any activity described in subsection (a) for the purpose of a religious ceremony.

(d)Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be subject to a fine in an amount not greater than $5,000 for each violation.

(e)Nothing in this section—

(1)limits any State or local law or regulation protecting the welfare of animals; or

(2)prevents a State or unit of local government from adopting and enforcing an animal welfare law or regulation that is more stringent than this section.

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was enacted as part of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and not as part of the Animal Welfare Act which comprises this chapter.

§2160 Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption

Summary

Title 7, §2160

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Citations & Metadata