CALIFORNIA – Acting U.S. attorney Bill Essayli announced September 3 the creation of a federal task force to prosecute violations of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2019.
The law criminalizes animal abuse in commerce and the creation of “animal crush” videos – recordings showing the intentional torture or killing of animals for entertainment or sexual gratification, which is illegal under federal law.
Essayli said his office intends to root out and punish those who profit from hurting animals.
The task force recently conducted a community outreach operation in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles, performing welfare checks on a dozen dogs.
They ensured they had access to clean water and food, checked signs of animal neglect and abuse, provided resources, collars, and leashes, and seized one abandoned dog.
Task force will focus on serious animal abuse
Led by federal prosecutors, the task force will partner with the FBI, USDA Office of Inspector General, Los Angeles County, LAPD, Los Angeles City Animal Control, and other state and local law enforcement.
It will focus on charging serious animal abuse throughout the Central District of California, the nation’s most populous federal district.
The seven-county district, home to about 20 million people, includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.
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