Even though all 50 states have felony penalties for certain forms of animal abuse, the laws — and how they’re enforced — vary greatly from state to state. What qualifies as “felony cruelty” in one state might be a misdemeanor in another, and the punishment can differ dramatically.

While the PACT Act made some acts of cruelty a federal crime, there is still no universal federal ban that covers all forms of animal abuse and neglect.

And importantly, being charged with a felony doesn’t guarantee justice.
Many courts are underfunded, overburdened, and short-staffed, leading to plea deals that downgrade serious animal cruelty cases into minor offenses just to clear dockets.

As a result, countless abusers walk away with little more than:

• Community service,

• A small fine, or

• A short probation period —
  And too often, they go on to hurt animals again. 💔

That’s where our petitions come in.
They are not just signatures — they are tens of thousands of voices demanding accountability. Each petition puts public pressure on prosecutors, judges, and lawmakers to enforce the maximum penalties allowed by law and resist plea bargains that let abusers walk free.

When citizens unite, courts listen. Petitions are how we help enforce justice, push for reform, and protect animals who can’t speak for themselves. 🕊️

💚 Why It’s Important to Animal Victory’s Work

For groups like Animal Victory, the PACT Act:

• Provides a federal legal framework to hold prosecutors accountable.

• Strengthens petitions demanding harsher penalties for abusers.

• Gives the public a tool for advocacy, proving that the U.S. government recognizes animal cruelty as a serious, violent crime.

It also helps connect animal abuse to broader violence — supporting the growing evidence that individuals who harm animals often go on to harm people.

NOTE:

The PACT Act & “Animal Crush” Materials

The PACT Act (Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture, 2019) does indeed criminalize certain acts of cruelty (drowning, suffocation, crushing, etc.) and the creation/distribution of “animal crush videos.”But the law’s intent and language target exploitative content created for sexual gratification or sadistic entertainment, not journalistic, educational, or advocacy use.

Congress specifically allowed exceptions for law enforcement, reporting, political/advocacy campaigns, and educational purposes.
Animal welfare groups, news outlets, and law enforcement agencies often include or reference such material under these very exceptions.