WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has passed a bill making certain types of animal cruelty a federal felony.
The bill would expand a 2010 law that made the creation or distribution of “animal crushing” videos illegal. The new bill would make the underlying acts of cruelty a federal crime.
The Senate unanimously passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act on Tuesday, two weeks after the House passed it on a voice vote.
Florida Reps. Ted Deutch and Vern Buchanan sponsored the bill. Deutch said it “sends a clear message that our society does not accept cruelty against animals” and noted that the bill received overwhelming support from both parties.
