WASHINGTON D.C. – Recently, Representatives Dave Joyce (OH-14), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), and Steve Cohen (TN-09) introduced the Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure better protection of animals and to keep our communities safe. The bill would establish a dedicated Animal Cruelty Crimes Section at the Department of Justice to aid in the investigation, enforcement, and prosecution of felony animal cruelty crimes.

“As a proud dog owner, I know the importance of ensuring there is proper enforcement for crimes against our beloved animals,” said Congressman Joyce. “By creating a dedicated Animal Cruelty Crimes section within the Department of Justice, the ACE Act will improve the federal government’s ability to crack down on animal cruelty and hold perpetrators accountable in a timely, efficient manner.”

“As a dog owner, I know that our animals are more than pets, they’re part of our family, and animal cruelty has no place in our society,” said Congressman Ciscomani. “It is crucial that our law enforcement has the resources and authority to hold anyone who commits these egregious actions accountable to the full extent of the law. I’m proud to support the bipartisan Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act to create a dedicated Animal Cruelty Crimes division at the Department of Justice to strengthen investigation and prosecution of these heinous crimes.”

“It’s good to have animal cruelty prevention measures on the books but it’s critical that they are enforced. The ACE Act will dedicate a division of the Department of Justice to ensure that happens, preventing cruelty to wild animals, pets and farm animals,” said Congressman Cohen.

BACKGROUND: 

Studies repeatedly show that there is a close link between animal cruelty and violence toward people. By bringing charges against perpetrators of animal cruelty crimes, we can prevent individuals with a propensity for violence from further harming animals or turning that violence against their fellow human-beings.

While all 50 states currently have laws in place to prohibit animal cruelty, Department of Justice enforcement of these laws continues to see lengthy delays, with many federal crimes going unprosecuted completely. A dedicated staff at the Department of Justice, provided through the Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act, would facilitate stronger enforcement of animal cruelty laws by providing specialized knowledge and a streamlined process for handling these offenses.