Victories for the Animals

Our hard work does pay off! Here is a selection of legislative victories that have helped make the world a better place for animals and the people who care for them.

The 110th Congress

Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act

Summary: Establishes a felony-level penalty of up to three years of jail time for any interstate or foreign transport of animals for fighting purposes. Sponsors: Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), John Ensign (R-NV), Arlen Specter (R-PA), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Representatives Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD).

The 109th Congress

Pets Evacuation and Transportation Act

Signed into law by President George W. Bush October 6, 2006 (P.L. 109-308) Summary: Requires local and state authorities to include in their evacuation plans how they will accommodate household pets and service animals in the event of a disaster. Sponsors: Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Ted Stevens (R-AK); Representatives Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Chris Shays (R-CT).

Alternatives to Animal Tests

DDAL successfully lobbied Congress to direct the NIEHS/ICCVAM to develop a five-year plan for integrating alternatives to animal tests.

American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill. The Senate version attracted 34 cosponsors.

Antifreeze Bittering Act

DDAL testified at both Senate and House hearings in support of the bill. the House and Senate bills cleared the full respective committees of jurisdiction and were prepared for floor action when the Congress ended. The Senate version attracted 13 cosponsors and the House version, 80 cosponsors.

Pet Animal Welfare Statute

DDAL testified at the Senate hearing in support of the bill. Later a discussion draft was released which changed the spirit of the original bill and DDAL withdrew its support.

The 108th Congress

Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004

Signed into law by President George W. Bush July 2, 2004 (P.L. 108-266). Summary: To assist in the conservation of marine turtles and the nesting habitats of marine turtles in foreign countries. Sponsors: Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) & Sen. James Jeffords (I-VT).

Exotic Pet Protection Act

Signed into law by President George W. Bush December 19, 2003 (P.L. 108-191). Summary: Bans the interstate commerce of certain species of large wild cats bound for the exotic pet trade. Includes lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, cougars and jaguars. Sponsors: Reps. Buck McKeon (R-CA) and George Miller (R-CA), & Sens. James Jeffords (I-VT) and John Ensign (R-NV).

American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act

Attracted 228 cosponsors in the House, more than half the chamber's members, and 11 cosponsors in the Senate.

Antifreeze Safety Act

Attracted 133 cosponsors in the House, an incredible amount for a bill's first introduction.

FBI "Animal Cruelty" Language

Congress directed the Federal Bureau of Investigation to report on the incidence of "animal cruelty" crimes across the country.

EPA "Animal Alternatives" Language

Congress directed the Environmental Protection Agency to spend a portion of its budget on validation of non-animal tests. This effort will help spare animal lives in the future.

ICCVAM Language

Congress directed a funding increase for ICCVAM so that it may continue to recommend non-animal test methods to federal agencies.

The 107th Congress

(January 2001 - December 2002)

Humane Slaughter Enforcement

As part of the farm bill signed into law by President George W. Bush on May 13, 2002 (P.L. 107-171). Expresses the sense of Congress that the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 should be fully enforced.

Animal Welfare Act Enforcement

Congress increased funding for enforcement of this important law that ensures the welfare of animals in breeding facilities, exhibitions, and laboratories.

 

The 106th Congress

(January 1999 - December 2000)

Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and Protection Act (CHIMP Act)

Signed into law by President Clinton December 20, 2000 (P.L. 106-551) Summary: Creates a congressionally chartered non-profit retirement sanctuary system for chimpanzees who have been used for experimentation. The CHIMP Act would enable these sentient, intelligent creatures to be retired to an enriching and safe environment. Sponsors: Rep. James Greenwood (R-PA), & Sens. Bob Smith (R-NH) and Richard Durbin (D-IL).

Shark Finning Prohibition Act

Signed into law by President Clinton December 21, 2000 (P.L. 106-557). Summary: Bans the practice of "finning," or cutting off the fins of a caught shark and discarding the dying animals at sea. Sponsors: Rep. Randy Cunningham (R-CA).

ICCVAM Authorization Act

Signed into law by President Clinton December 19, 2000 (P.L. 106-545). Summary: Permanently establishes the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) which will review petitions for acceptance of alternatives to animal tests and recommend changes to the appropriate federal regulations. Sponsors: Reps. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Ken Calvert (R-CA), & Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH).

Dog and Cat Protection Act

Signed into law by President Clinton on November 9, 2000 (P.L. No: 106-476) Summary: Bans the importation of products made with cat or dog fur. Also prohibits the manufacture of dog and cat fur products in the United States. This bill covers all fur items as well as fur-trimmed. Sponsors: Rep. Jerry Kleczka (D-WI) & Sen. William Roth (R-DE).

Military Working Dog Adoptions

Signed into law by President Clinton November 6, 2000 (P.L. 106-446). Summary: Facilitates adoption of former military working dogs by their handlers and partners. Traditionally, the dogs were euthanized at the end of their "useful" life. Sponsors: Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD).

Great Ape Conservation Act

Signed into law by President Clinton November 1, 2000 (P.L. 106-411) Summary: Establishes a federal fund for projects in Africa and Asia that conserve great apes in their natural habitat. Our closest genetic relatives, the great apes, are disappearing rapidly from their natural habitat in Africa and Southeast Asia. Human encroachment, logging and hunting for the "bushmeat" trade have brought populations to dangerously low levels. Sponsors: Rep. George Miller (D-CA) & Sen. Jim Jeffords (R-VT).

Federal Law Enforcement Animal Protection

Signed into law by President Clinton August 2, 2000 (P.L. 106-254). Summary: Legislation that raises the penalties for anyone who "willfully harms" a federal police dog or horse. The Federal Law Enforcement Animals Protection Act establishes a prison term of up to ten years if the offense results in the death of the animal. Sponsors: Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL) & Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ).

Safe Air Travel for Animals Act

Signed into law by President Clinton April 5, 2000 (P.L. 106-181) Summary: Portions of the Safe Air Travel for Animals Act passed as part of a huge Federal Aviation Administration bill (S. 82/H.R. 1000). The approved provisions require airlines to provide the Department of Transportation (DOT) with monthly reports describing any "loss, injury or death" of animals. This information will be available to the public by the DOT. Sponsors: Rep. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) & Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).

"Crush Video" Bill

Signed into law by President Clinton December 9, 1999 (P.L. 106-152). Summary: Prohibits entering a depiction of an illegal act of animal cruelty into interstate or foreign commerce for commercial gain. "Crush videos" graphically depict a woman, sometimes barefoot but usually in stiletto heels, stepping on and killing a variety of small animals. Sponsors: Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA) & Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ).