I 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5422 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 27, 2010 Mr. Ruppersberger introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants for the prevention of cruelty to animals to States that have enacted laws prohibiting the devocalization of dogs and cats for purposes of convenience.

1.

Animal cruelty prevention grants to States with laws prohibiting devocalization of dogs and cats

(a)

Authorization

The Secretary of Agriculture may make grants on a competitive basis for the prevention of cruelty to animals to States that have enacted laws prohibiting the performance of devocalization procedures on dogs and cats for purposes of convenience. (b)

Eligibility

The Secretary may only award a grant under this section to a State that— (1)has enacted a law imposing criminal penalties on any individual who performs a devocalization procedure on a dog or cat for purposes of convenience; and (2)submits an application at such time, in such form, and accompanied by such information and assurances as the Secretary may require, including a copy of the law described in paragraph (1). (c)

Use of funds

(1)

In general

A State that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds for activities that prevent or promote the prevention of cruelty to animals. Such activities may include— (A)care for animals that are unwanted or have been abused; and (B)public education about— (i)animal abuse and how individuals may prevent such abuse or care for animals that are unwanted or have been abused; and (ii)the effects of performing a devocalization procedure on a dog or cat for purposes of convenience. (2)

Subgrants

A State that receives a grant under this section may use grant funds to make grants to entities that agree to use such funds to carry out the activities described in paragraph (1). (d)

Grant amount

The Secretary may not award more than $1,000,000 under this section to a single State. (e)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Devocalization procedure

The term devocalization procedure means a surgical procedure that prevents an animal’s larynx from producing sound or reduces the ability of the larynx to produce sound. (2)

For purposes of convenience

The term for purposes of convenience means, with respect to the performance of a devocalization procedure on an animal, that the procedure is not performed primarily for the therapeutic benefit of the animal. (f)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $12,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2011 and 2012.