Issue Position: Protecting Animals

Issue Position

Congresswoman Lowey believes that the humane treatment of animals is among the responsibilities of a decent society.

Since coming to Congress in 1989, Rep. Lowey has compiled a nearly flawless record of support for the legislative objectives of the Humane Society of the U.S., Animal Humane Society, and others who support humane treatment of animals. As a member of the Appropriations Committee and Animal Protection Caucus, Congresswoman Lowey has:

Supported funding increases to enforce the Animal Welfare Act;

Fought to ensure that federal funds are not used for inappropriate animal research or experimentation;

Cosponsored the Animal Fighting Prohibition Act, which was signed into law, to strengthen enforcement of provisions that protect against animal fighting; and

Introduced the Refuge From Cruel Traps, to end to the use of steel-jaw leghold traps on our nation's wildlife refuges.
Congresswoman Lowey has also cosponsored legislation that would:

End the slaughter of horses for human consumption;

Require humane euthanasia for downed animals so that they do not suffer when they are transported to stockyards;

Enact tougher regulations for puppy mills;

Ban the sale of "crush" videos that depict animals being tortured; and

Toughen sentencing guidelines for dog fighting crimes.

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