PACT Becomes Law

Los Angeles, CA (11/25/19) – The Preventing Animal Cruelty & Torture Act (PACT), which criminalizes certain acts of animal cruelty, was signed into law today. Society for the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) has been upholding animal cruelty laws since 1877. PACT further extends protections for vulnerable animals in our community.

The bill defines cruel conduct as it pertains to animal crushing videos, and expands the reach of the Federal Government to prosecute such conduct whether or not a film is made – banning abusive behavior including crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling and other bodily injury toward any non-human mammals, birds, reptiles or amphibians. Violators of the PACT Act face criminal penalties of a fine, a prison term of up to seven years, or both.

spcaLA is the only private animal welfare organization in Los Angeles that is also Law Enforcement. spcaLA Humane Officers hold the same powers of Peace Officers in the state of California when investigating animal cruelty. spcaLA is a non-profit agency that relies on donations for its programs and services, including animal cruelty investigations. To donate, please visit spcaLA.com or call 323-730-5300 x3233.