BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — It's a bipartisan effort to combat animal abuse in the United States.
Two lawmakers from Florida have put forth a bill that would make it a federal crime to torture animals. It's called the PACT Act, Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture.
If the PACT Act becomes law, a person can be jailed for crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, and impaling animals and sexually exploiting them.
It a person is convicted of a crime under the PACT Act, they could face up to 7 years in prison.
There are some exceptions to this bill, such as hunting, trapping, fishing and exterminating.
"Torture of innocent animals is absolutely inexcusable and vile," said Tim Brennan of the Niagara County SPCA.
This year alone Niagara County has seen its fair share of animal abuse cases. Earlier this month, two dogs were found dead in a trash bag along the road in Lockport. A dog, was beaten to death allegedly by another dog's owner, also in Lockport. Most recently, the story of Charlie, the dog found emaciated and freezing cold in a garbage tote in Buffalo.
SPCA officials hope if passed, this law would make people think twice about abusing an animal.
There are plenty of animals looking for a loving home. They can be adopted at the Erie County SPCA or Niagara County SPCA.
