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Animal Cruelty Cases and Laws
The U.S. Animal Law Center writes legislation to advance positive reform of the Anti-Cruelty Statutes in the United States. To find out what your states Anti-Cruelty statute says click below:
The laws relating to animal cruelty are not the same from state to state. The link that you are following and the content that you are accessing will be taking you to Michigan State Collage of Law's Animal Legal & Historical Center. The database that Michigan State College of Law does not belong to The U.S. Animal Law Center and by clicking the link, you are acknowledging that you understand this disclosure.
The Animal Welfare Act is a Federal Law that helps to regulate shelters,
research facilities, animals in exhibition, the transportation of animals..
The Animal Welfare Act also speaks to the minimum standard of care that is required and the treatment that is required to be given to animals that are bread for commercial sale.
In 1985 an amendment was written to include Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act.
In 1990 an amendment was written to include Protection of Pets.
In 2007 an amendment was written to include Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act.
The Lacey Act regulates trafficking of illegal wildlife, fish and plants. Trophy importation is regulated in the Animal Products Manual written by the United States Department of Agriculture section 3-20-1.
The purpose of the Animal Anti-Cruelty Statutes is to provide a legal remedy for an abused animal. Laws are meant to deter illegal activity by imposing a penalty for those who break the law.
Not all states protect animals in the same way. Some states exempt specific animals from Anti-Cruelty protection. Some states even exempt businesses and organizations from Anti-Cruelty protection. Some states exempt circuses, research facilities, agricultural facilities, and even cock fighting groups from following the Anti-Cruelty statutes. Protection under a state statute varies state by states exempt circuses, research facilities, agricultural facilities, and even cock fighting groups from following the Anti-Cruelty statutes. Protection under a state statute varies state by state.
The Endangered Species Act was written to protect and recover species that are in distress. It was also written to protect the ecosystems that the endangered species depend on. There are two categories in which species may be listed, Endangered or Threatened. All species of animals are eligible to be listed as endangered.
The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act provides for the proper treatment and humane handling of all animals that are used for food. This act states that animals used as food must be slaughtered in a humane manner to prevent suffering.
The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act regulates that livestock must be slaughtered in a humane manner to prevent suffering.
Chickens and other birds are exempt from The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.
The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act is enforced by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Marine Mammal Protection act protects marine mammals from being harassed (taking). This Act requires that specific species may not fall below specific optimum population levels. It provides for procedures to replenish these populations. This Act applies to commercial fishing operations as well as all U.S. citizens.
All marine mammals are protected Under this Act.
Marine Mammal Protection Act provides for conservation of the Beluga Whale and the Northern Fur Seal.
