The amount of time that animals are held in shelters after being seized from animal fighting and gambling rings would be shortened under bicameral, bipartisan legislation unveiled last week by U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY).
“Animals saved from fighting rings deserve to be matched with loving, caring homes. Furthermore, we must hold criminals legally and financially responsible for the abuse of these animals,” Rep. Katko said on Thursday. “The HEART Act accomplishes both initiatives.”
Rep. Katko is the lead original cosponsor of the Help Extract Animals from Red Tape (HEART) Act, H.R. 1228, sponsored on Feb. 14 by U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA). U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) joined as a cosponsor of H.R. 1228.
In addition, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on Feb. 14 cosponsored the same-named S. 513, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA).
If enacted, the measure also would transfer the cost of care for such animals from taxpayers to those responsible for harming the animals, according to Rep. Katko.
“Animal abuse and neglect has no place in our society,” said Rep. Katko.
Specifically, the bill would speed up the disposition process by reducing the amount of time the federal government has to notify interested parties following the seizure of animals from 60 days to 30 days; would require claimants to reimburse the costs of caring for animals seized in federal animal fighting cases when the government prevails in civil forfeiture proceedings; and would give judges the discretion to allow the consideration of the claimant’s culpability, financial condition and other factors when requiring and determining reimbursement, according to a summary of the bill provided by Rep. Katko’s office.
“Court proceedings can take over a year, which means the cost of doing the right thing can total millions of dollars,” Rep. Chu said. “Additionally, shelters are unable to rehabilitate these animals until the proceedings have completed, which leaves animals stressed. It’s unjust that taxpayers and local shelters are picking up the tab for the care of these animals.”
Richard Patch, vice president of federal affairs for the ASPCA’s government relations division, called dogfighting a “brutal blood-sport’’ that forces animals to train, fight and suffer for the entertainment and profit of spectators.
“These animals have suffered enough at the hands of their abusers and the red tape of the federal forfeiture system should not be a barrier to their adoption,” he said, adding that the ASPCA is grateful to federal lawmakers for “championing the HEART Act to streamline the process to give these victims of cruelty the chance they deserve to find safe and loving homes.”
The same sets of bipartisan lawmakers originally introduced the HEART Act, H.R. 398 / S. 2633, during the previous congressional session. Rep. Katko’s bill garnered 83 cosponsors while S. 2633 had 10 cosponsors. However, both versions stalled in during committee consideration.
“I am proud to once again sponsor this legislation and will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to address this issue,” said Rep. Katko last week about the newly released bills.
Both H.R. 1228 and S. 513 have been referred to their respective chamber’s Judiciary Committee for consideration.