[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6720 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

<DOC>
115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6720


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 17, 2018

  Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 
                        Nutrition, and Forestry

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
 To prohibit the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition 
Act of 2018''.

SEC. 2. 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 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 4 of the Indian 
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) 
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.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 12, 2018.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.