01/31/2026
The PACT Act (Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act) is now law in the United States, making certain extreme acts of animal cruelty a federal felony for the first time. Acts such as crushing, burning, drowning, or suffocating animals can now result in up to 7 years in federal prison, along with fines.
This law closes a major legal gap and ensures that the most severe forms of animal abuse are treated as serious crimes at the federal level. It marks an important step toward stronger accountability and better protection for animals across the country.
