7 U.S.C. § 2160

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Current through P.L. 118-106 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/04/2024)

Section 2160 - Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption

(a) In general

Except as provided in subsection (c), no person may-

(1) knowingly slaughter a dog or cat for human consumption; or

(2) knowingly ship, transport, move, deliver, receive, possess, purchase, sell, or donate-

(A) a dog or cat to be slaughtered for human consumption; or

(B) a dog or cat part for human consumption.

(b) Scope

Subsection (a) shall apply only with respect to conduct-

(1) in or affecting interstate commerce or foreign commerce; or

(2) within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.

(c) Exception for Indian tribes

The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to an Indian (as defined in section 5304 of title 25) carrying out any activity described in subsection (a) for the purpose of a religious ceremony.

(d) Penalty

Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be subject to a fine in an amount not greater than $5,000 for each violation.

(e) Effect on State law

Nothing in this section-

(1) limits any State or local law or regulation protecting the welfare of animals; or

(2) prevents a State or unit of local government from adopting and enforcing an animal welfare law or regulation that is more stringent than this section.

7 U.S.C. § 2160

Pub. L. 115-334, title XII, §125152515,, 132 Stat. 5000.

EDITORIAL NOTES

CODIFICATIONSection was enacted as part of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and not as part of the Animal Welfare Act which comprises this chapter.

State: The term "State" means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or any other territory or possession of the United States.
animal: The term "animal" means any live or dead dog, cat, monkey (nonhuman primate mammal), guinea pig, hamster, rabbit, or such other warm-blooded animal, as the Secretary may determine is being used, or is intended for use, for research, testing, experimentation, or exhibition purposes, or as a pet; but such term excludes (1) birds, rats of the genus Rattus, and mice of the genus Mus, bred for use in research, (2) horses not used for research purposes, and (3) other farm animals, such as, but not limited to livestock or poultry, used or intended for use as food or fiber, or livestock or poultry used or intended for use for improving animal nutrition, breeding, management, or production efficiency, or for improving the quality of food or fiber. With respect to a dog, the term means all dogs including those used for hunting, security, or breeding purposes.
commerce: The term "commerce" means trade, traffic, transportation, or other commerce-(1) between a place in a State and any place outside of such State, or between points within the same State but through any place outside thereof, or within any territory, possession, or the District of Columbia;(2) which affects trade, traffic, transportation, or other commerce described in paragraph (1).
person: The term "person" includes any individual, partnership, firm, joint stock company, corporation, association, trust, estate, or other legal entity.