Republican President Donald Trump has just signed a bill that makes animal cruelty a federal felony in the United States.

The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) act seeks to criminalize acts of animal cruelty in America. The bill was passed in the Senate by unanimous decision on November 25th, after it was approved in the House in late October 2019.

PACT is an expansion on the 2010 Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, which made the creation or exchange of  ''animal crushing'' footage illegal.

According to CARE, the act defines ''animal crushing'' as when "one or more living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians is purposely crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury."

The bill makes it a federal crime for "any person to intentionally engage in animal crushing if the animals or animal crushing is in, substantially affects, or uses a means or facility of, interstate or foreign commerce."

Commenting on the bill earlier this month, Senator Pat Toomey stated: "Passing this legislation is a major victory in the effort to stop animal cruelty and make our communities safer."

He added: "Evidence shows that the deranged individuals who harm animals often move on to committing acts of violence against people. It is appropriate that the federal government have strong animal cruelty laws and penalties."

Per ABC, CEO of the United States Humane Society Kitty Block, stated: "PACT makes a statement about American values. Animals are deserving of protection at the highest level."

She added: "The approval of this measure by the Congress and the president marks a new era in the codification of kindness to animals within federal law. For decades, a national anti-cruelty law was a dream for animal protectionists. Today, it is a reality."

Republican President Donald Trump has just signed a bill that makes animal cruelty a federal felony in the United States.

The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) act seeks to criminalize acts of animal cruelty in America. The bill was passed in the Senate by unanimous decision on November 25th, after it was approved in the House in late October 2019.

PACT is an expansion on the 2010 Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, which made the creation or exchange of  ''animal crushing'' footage illegal.

According to CARE, the act defines ''animal crushing'' as when "one or more living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians is purposely crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury."

The bill makes it a federal crime for "any person to intentionally engage in animal crushing if the animals or animal crushing is in, substantially affects, or uses a means or facility of, interstate or foreign commerce."

Commenting on the bill earlier this month, Senator Pat Toomey stated: "Passing this legislation is a major victory in the effort to stop animal cruelty and make our communities safer."

He added: "Evidence shows that the deranged individuals who harm animals often move on to committing acts of violence against people. It is appropriate that the federal government have strong animal cruelty laws and penalties."

Per ABC, CEO of the United States Humane Society Kitty Block, stated: "PACT makes a statement about American values. Animals are deserving of protection at the highest level."

She added: "The approval of this measure by the Congress and the president marks a new era in the codification of kindness to animals within federal law. For decades, a national anti-cruelty law was a dream for animal protectionists. Today, it is a reality."