Federal Bills Crack Down on Animal Rights Terrorism

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Two bills in the U.S. Congress tighten penalties for anyone convicted of committing an act of terrorism against a legally operating animal-use business.



Congress is currently considering S. 1926, sponsored by Sen. James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, and H.R. 4239, sponsored by Rep. Tom Petri, R-Wisconsin.  The bills, introduced late last year and currently being heard in their respective judiciary committees, close loopholes in the existing anti-terrorism law and stiffen penalties for convicted terrorists.  Provisions in the bills will ensure that domestic animal rights terrorists are brought to justice for their crimes.



The bills will not only help protect livestock producers, zoos and research facilities,   they will prevent animal rights zealots from harassing and terrorizing game farms and farmers, hunters, trappers,  furriers, dog kennels and other businesses where domestic animals and wildlife are involved.



Drafted with assistance from counter-terror experts at both the Justice Department and the FBI, the bills broaden the definition of animal enterprise to include a commercial enterprise that uses or sells animals or animal products for profit, including animal shelters, breeders, pet stores and furriers.  The bills provide penalties for intentionally damaging property, causing bodily harm or placing a person in reasonable fear of harm or death.  The bills also prohibit these criminal acts against persons or organizations with ties to an animal enterprise.



In 2002, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance drafted similar model legislation that enabled law enforcement to successfully prosecute animal rights terrorism.  At the time, the FBI ranked animal rights terrorism one of the largest domestic terrorist threats to the United States.