There's a rule of the universe that basically says "say something, bitch!" That rule states that as soon as you say something related to circumstance, those circumstances will change.
Uh. In the USA, which is probably where most of you are motivated anyway, Trump just signed a new law.
HR text passed senate without amendment...
All Info for H.R.724 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act
www.congress.gov
... So we can pull the HR text for reference on the bill that was passed...
Text for H.R.724 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act
www.congress.gov
Receipts part dealt with, the bill covers animal crush videos, round 2. Whereas before production of videos was illegal, this time the underlying act itself is illegal.
It's fairly succinct - to the extent it's almost its own summary - but just to highlight a few notes anyway...
Section (a) defines what we're talking about clearly and provides declarations.
“[(a)(1)] CRUSHING.—It shall be unlawful for any person to purposely engage in animal crushing in [...] the United States.
The actual, underlying act itself is now illegal, as I said.
[(a)(3)] DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMAL CRUSH VIDEOS.—It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly sell, market, advertise, exchange, or distribute an animal crush video in, or using a means or facility of, interstate or foreign commerce.
Distribution of such materials is also now illegal. The language was tightened up. (It was already illegal.)
Section (b) is extraterritorial and perhaps isn't for the best - the US claims jurisdiction in cases where such materials are knowingly marketed in the US or using infrastructure in the US. This wouldn't be so bad, but
the internet's key architectural backends are in the USA. The intention is likely to prevent people from going outside the US to produce it for a US market, as well as keep it off the US-centric web. Alarmists will point to this specific subsection as an increased overreach to control of the internet globally. So keep an idle eye out for that note.
Section (c) defines penalties.
(c) Penalties.—Whoever violates this section shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 7 years, or both.
I don't see a maximum fine stated.
Section d is worth quoting in its entirety as it directly affects this community, chiefly in terms of (d)(2), but also to give us the lines in which we operate for such matters to utilize this law in cooperation with law enforcement.
(d) Exceptions.—
(d)(1) IN GENERAL.—This section does not apply with regard to any conduct, or a visual depiction of that conduct, that is—
(d)(1)(A) a customary and normal veterinary, agricultural husbandry, or other animal management practice;
(d)(1)(B) the slaughter of animals for food;
(d)(1)(C) hunting, trapping, fishing, a sporting activity not otherwise prohibited by Federal law, predator control, or pest control;
(d)(1)(D) medical or scientific research;
(d)(1)(E) necessary to protect the life or property of a person; or
(d)(1)(F) performed as part of euthanizing an animal.
(d)(2) GOOD-FAITH DISTRIBUTION.—This section does not apply to the good-faith distribution of an animal crush video to—
(d)(2)(A) a law enforcement agency; or
(d)(2)(B) a third party for the sole purpose of analysis to determine if referral to a law enforcement agency is appropriate.
(d)(3) UNINTENTIONAL CONDUCT.—This section does not apply to unintentional conduct that injures or kills an animal.
(d)(4) CONSISTENCY WITH RFRA.—This section shall be enforced in a manner that is consistent with section 3 of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (
42 U.S.C. 2000bb–1).
Again, the law is succinct enough it almost serves as its own summary.
(e) prevents pre-emption (permits states to make their own laws).
(f) covers specific definitions of acts described.
So there are worse things I could wake up to on the verge of Thanksgiving, I think.
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Edit: Quick reminder that America has no ex-post facto laws (constitutionally) so this only applies to acts after the law was signed into effect. That would be any act of animal crushing after 25 November 2019.
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