U.S. Representatives Pass Bill To Ban Killing Dogs And Cats For Food

by Lori Ennis

Published: September 18th, 2018

u s representatives pass bill to ban killing dogs and cats for food

The United States House of Representatives has passed a bill that outlaws the killing of dogs and cats for food, though the practice is still legal in 44 states in the U.S.

Though it’s hard for us to believe, the practice of individuals killing dogs and cats for food is still legal in 44 states in America. It seems like it’s a rarity, and we hope that it is, but the United States House of Representatives has taken steps to ensure that it becomes illegal in the U.S.

Florida Representatives Vern Buchanan and Alcee Hastings moved in the bill to amend the federal Animal Welfare Act so that it would ban the slaughter of cats and dogs for human food in the United States.

This means that it would be illegal to purposely kill, transport, have, buy, sell or donate dogs, cats or their body parts for consumption. Those who violate the law would be fined up to $5,000.

Currently, it is illegal for all slaughterhouses in every state to deal with dogs and cats, and it’s illegal for stores to sell dog or cat meat, but individuals in 44 states can kill and eat or sell dog and cat meat.

Representative Buchanan said he believes the Senate will pass the Dog and Cat Meal Trade Prohibition Act before the Congress finishes their final session this fall. Buchanan said that dogs and cats are companion animals, not to be slaughtered for food.

Additionally, the House passed a resolution that urges other nations to end their dog and cat meat trades. Specifically, the resolution addresses the issue with the governments of China, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos and India.

Last year, Taiwan became the first Asian government to make the slaughter of dogs and cats for food illegal. Representative Hastings said that she hopes this shows countries the values we place on animals and their presence in our lives so that the horrible practice ends forever.

Animal rights advocates were in favor of the bill, as they say that there is an underground market for dog and cat meat in the United States. Marty Irby is the executive director of Animal Wellness Action who said that it’s our responsibility to make sure companion animals do not end up as dinner fare.

Lori Ennis

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