Animal Protective Services reports that one of more than 60 dogs in a suspected cruelty case in Jefferson County Arkansas in 2016.
A Democrat and a Republican which are two lawmakers have proposed a bill that will make a federal felony out of animal cruelty.
Congressman Ted Deutch and Vern Buchanan, both from Florida, think the PACT Act will close a gap that’s existed for years.
Federal law prohibits animal fighting. And it also makes animal cruelty a criminal act if the wrongdoers create and sell videos depicting the act.
But the PACT Act which stands for Preventing Animal Torture and cruelty will extend the scope of prosecutors.
For instance, all the 50 states of America have laws in their books against animal cruelty on the state level right now. But what if the animal being tortured is across the state lines?
Authorities can go after the wrongdoers because they have federal jurisdiction if the bill passes, and they can prosecute criminals too if the cruelty occurs on federal property.
Rep. Deutch said that this is only commonsense, bipartisan legislation to bring some compassion to our animal bills and laws, and he says that they have acted in the past to stop the horrific trend of posting animal abuse videos; and now it’s finally time to see the underlying acts of cruelty as a crime as well.
A person can be prosecuted for burning, drowning, crushing, suffocating, impaling animals, and sexually exploiting them under the PACT Act.
The legislation contains exceptions for hunting.
The bill has been endorsed by the National Sheriffs Association and the Fraternal Order of Police. Those who will be convicted under the PACT Act would face fines, federal felony charges, and up to seven years to spend in prison.
How To Get Information About Animal Protective Services
If you have an animal that is causing you grief or if your pet is acting out of the ordinary, you may need animal protective services. An animal shelter or an animal welfare agency is an organization charged with taking care of requests for assistance with animals ranging from stray animals, wild animals, domestic animals in trouble, or animals in need of medical attention. These organizations are also called animal welfare associations and participate in seminars to train people about proper handling of animals and about animal laws that are enforced in a variety of jurisdictions.
Many people think these agencies are just for enforcing animal laws, but they are much more. Some of their duties include investigating animal cruelty, suspected abuse, neglect, and other forms of abuse and neglect. They also handle cases of euthanasia, inhumane treatment, and other unneeded surgical procedures. They educate the public and law enforcement on proper handling of animals and provide referrals to qualified animal healthcare providers when needed. These organizations also provide free or low cost animal sheltering, spaying/neutering, and other necessary services and resources to families with pets.
If you suspect that your pet is suffering from abuse, you should contact animal control for further information. When you call the animal control center, one of the first things that will be discussed is how you can take care of the situation. It is important to realize that animal control is not the same as animal rescue. While animal rescue takes in abused or abandoned animals; animal control deals with strays, lost, stolen, neglected, and surplus animals. The center has officers who are trained to handle various situations involving animals and are familiar with investigating animal cruelty.
Many cities and towns have ordinances that are designed to prevent the mistreatment or injury of pets. Many communities have adopted a “nuisance” ordinance, which outlines the type of behavior that will cause a resident to be arrested. In many areas, animal protective services are equipped with video cameras, signs, and yard signs that allow community members to identify any problems as soon as they arise. The purpose of these animal control officers is to allow dogs off-leash at designated areas on a leash. Once an animal is wandering off-leash, it must be returned to its yard and not allowed to wander free again. Failure to return to its yard within a reasonable amount of time will result in a citation or fine.
If a pet owner does not follow these laws, the local humane society for the prevention of cruelty to animals will step in to help. Humane law enforcement officers are always available to handle any situation that may come up. Although some people feel that humane law enforcement officers are overbearing and over-regulating, most animal advocates agree that humane officers are often very understanding, caring, and informative. If you have any questions about what you can expect from a humane society officer, you should contact the humane society for further information.
Many cities have their own animal abuse Hotlines that you can call when you believe your loved pet might be abused. Many cities even have hotline numbers where you can leave a report and get immediate professional and compassionate care. For example, in Columbus, Ohio, there is the Columbus Humane Society. Their phone number is (614) 622-6123. Other cities with hotlines you can call our Elkhart, Toledo and Warren.
Other areas of the country have similar programs, like the National Law Enforcement Association. They have a national animal abuse hotline you can call. The number is (800) 599-4000. If you are a victim of animal neglect or abuse, you should call the animal protective services of your local law enforcement agency. Most law enforcement officers are familiar with the services these organizations provide.
Remember, the animal protective services officers will interview you about the incident. They will also ask you if you knew the animal was ill before they arrested the suspect. Now that you know what to expect when contacting the humane societies, you can rest easy knowing you are making a difference in the lives of pets and those around them. Contact your local animal protective services today! Make sure you visit our blog page for the latest news articles for today.
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