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119-hr-8480119th Congress
Protect our Pets Act
Sponsored By: Representative Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Introduced
Summary
Stronger federal penalties for animal cruelty. This bill would raise prison terms for the crime of animal crushing and create a new federal offense for abandoning or endangering domesticated animals on Federal land or when the act affects interstate or foreign commerce.
Show full summary
- Pet owners and families: adds a federal backstop so extreme abuse or abandonment that crosses state lines or happens on Federal land can lead to federal charges.
- People who harm animals: first offenses carry up to 10 years in prison and second or later offenses carry up to 15 years.
- Federal prosecutors and land managers: the new crime applies to acts "in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce" and to conduct on Federal land, expanding when federal authorities can act.
- Scope and exceptions: "domesticated animal" includes mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians kept for pleasure or commercial use. Normal veterinary care, agricultural husbandry, slaughter for food, hunting or trapping, research, protecting life or property, and euthanasia are excluded.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger federal penalties for animal harm
If enacted, this bill would raise criminal penalties for animal crushing. A first conviction could bring up to 10 years in prison and a fine. A second or later conviction could bring up to 15 years in prison and a fine. The bill would also create a new federal crime for knowingly abandoning or committing violence that endangers a domesticated animal when in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or on Federal land. The new offense uses the same penalty levels and lists exceptions for routine veterinary or farming practices, slaughter for food, hunting/trapping/fishing and pest or predator control, medical research, actions to protect life or property, and euthanasia. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 4/23/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov