Protect our Pets Act
Sponsored By: Representative Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a federal crime for abandoning or endangering pets and increases penalties for animal cruelty. This bill would add Section 48A to Title 18 making it unlawful, when interstate commerce or Federal land is involved, to knowingly abandon a domesticated animal or to commit violent acts that endanger one. A first offense would carry up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine. A second or subsequent offense would carry up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine. The law lists six exceptions, including veterinary care, agricultural husbandry, hunting and pest control, research, protecting people or property, and euthanasia. It defines “domesticated animal” as a living non-human mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian kept for pleasure or commercial purposes.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New federal crime for pet abandonment
If enacted, the bill would create a new federal offense for knowingly abandoning or committing violent acts that endanger a domesticated animal when the conduct is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce, or occurs on Federal land. A first offense would carry a fine under title 18 and up to 10 years in prison. A second or later offense would carry a fine and up to 15 years in prison. The bill defines domesticated animal as a living non-human mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian kept for pleasure or commercial purposes, and lists six exceptions including normal veterinary or agricultural practices, slaughter for food, hunting/trapping/fishing and pest control, medical or scientific research, acts necessary to protect life or property, and euthanasia. The rule would take effect upon enactment.
Stronger penalties for animal crushing
If enacted, the bill would raise federal prison limits for animal-crushing convictions. A first offense would carry a fine under title 18 and up to 10 years in prison. A second or later conviction would carry a fine and up to 15 years in prison. The change would take effect upon enactment and would apply to anyone who violates the federal animal-crushing ban.
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