Toomey touts law that protects animals
Sen. Pat Toomey touts new law that targets most heinous forms of abuse
WHITEMARSH » “There is something wrong with a society that wouldn’t protect innocent animals.”
With those words U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. highlighted a celebration at the Conshohocken branch of the Montgomery County SPCA that touted the success of the Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT), a bill co-created with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. which seeks to outlaw a heinous form of animal abuse known as “crushing,” where deranged individuals maim and torture animals.
“Sick individuals intentionally maim and torture animals. It’s hard to believe that this even happens but the truth is that it does. Now those found guilty would face felony charges and seven years in prison,” Toomey said, explaining that the impetus for PACT began with a previous law that banned the sale of videos depicting the despicable act.
“In 2010 Congress banned the sale of videos with this sick activity, but unfortunately the 2010 law did not prohibit the actual act of cruelty, and the result was that federal law enforcement officials were not able to prosecute anyone for committing the act. But our bill fixes that. Individuals found guilty of torturing animals on federal property will face felony charges, fines and up to seven years in prison.”
The bill will ultimately protect humans as well as animals, Toomey pointed out.
“Because people who engage in this kind of activity sometimes go beyond that when it’s no long sufficient satisfaction for them to inflict that cruelty on an animal, they will look to inflict that cruelty on a person. The good news about this act is that it was unanimously approved by the Senate back in December. The House bill has 272 house sponsors and there is wide support. What we need to do is put pressure on the House leadership to actually move the legislation. If it passes it will get to the President’s desk and I’m confident that the President will sign it.”
In a press release, Blumenthal added, “This bipartisan bill — the first to outlaw animal cruelty at the federal level — states emphatically that these heinous acts are inhumane, illegal and intolerable in a civilized society. It is appalling that without this legislation these outrageous acts go unpunished.”
Animal justice was also spotlighted by recognition of Libre’s Law, or House Bill 1238, signed by Governor Wolf on June 29, 2017 and named after the Boston Terrier who sparked a state-wide fight for tougher penalties for animal abusers.
Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania State Director of the Human Society of the United States, who had sponsored the legislation, noted the historical significance of Libre’s Law.
“For the first time ever animals are protected, because of this bug-eyed miracle who captured the hearts of Pennsylvanians who called on the General Assembly to improve our animal cruelty and neglect laws.”
She explained that Libre was found on a farm in Lancaster County, severely neglected and suffering from dehydration and starvation.
“A good Samaritan asked if he could take him. He contacted a humane officer and the story continued from there. Pennsylvanians rallied behind this puppy as ambassador for the other Libres out there. And the other exciting part of this is that we now have the opportunity to have a similar law on a federal level with PACT.”
Humane Society CEO Wayne Pacelle noted: “Malicious cruelty is shameful abhorrent conduct and perpetrators should never get a free pass from the federal government. We already have federal laws against dogfighting and cockfighting and a wide range of other animal crimes with an interstate component. It’s time to close the gap in our federal laws on matters of extreme cruelty.”
The SPCA event will resonate locally with those who are now fighting for “Justice for Champ,” as their Facebook campaign declares. As reported in The Times Herald, Champ was the pit bull who was left out in the cold and died in the 1200 block of Swede Street on a frigid January night this year. His tragic death sparked outrage and led to the Norristown Police Department and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office to conduct a joint investigation into the dog’s neglect and death.
“While a criminal complaint was originally filed, an arrest has not been made at this time,” a statement read. “In order to build a stronger case for the prosecution, additional investigative avenues are being pursued. As with all death investigations, a determination for the cause of death has to be made. The District Attorney’s Office has obtained a qualified veterinarian, who can perform the necropsies of Champ and make that determination. Once an arrest is made, a press release will be issued.”