Not to divulge too much information about the behind the scenes of the stories we post here at the radio station, but people usually respond more to our stories about animal issues than to stories about human issues. That doesn't mean we don't care about people but it does show that we really care about our pets. Because of that, I think Idaho would be in support of this proposed bill which would make animal cruelty a federal felony.

Earlier this week, KTVB reported that the PACT (Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture) Act was passed by the U.S. Senate and next heads to the desk of President Trump. Should he approve and sign the bill, animal cruelty would then become a felony with a sentence of up to seven years in prison for those found guilty. The 2010 Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act banned the posting of videos that show the abuse of animals but did nothing to prosecute the act of violence. According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund site, the PACT Act would make intentional 'crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling, and sexual exploitation' of animals a federal crime.

Full details on the PACT Act can be found on the Congress website. After the Senate passed the bill, the Humane Society of the United States tweeted their excitement and support of the act.


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