WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, co-chairman of the bipartisan Animal Protection Caucus, and Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) introduced the Animal Violence Exposes Real Threat of (AVERT) Future Violence Act of 2024. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Gary Peters (D-MI).
The bipartisan, bicameral bill aims to prevent domestic abuse by examining the very real and disturbing link between those who abuse animals and those who go on to commit violence against people, including family members.
“Not surprisingly, deranged individuals who abuse innocent animals are significantly more likely to go on to commit violence against people,” said Congressman Buchanan. “In fact, studies have shown that nearly 40 percent of known animal abusers commit crimes against humans as well. I’m pleased to lead efforts with Congresswoman Titus to study the troubling connection between domestic abuse and animal violence.”
Specifically, the legislation requires the Department of Justice to examine connections between acts of animal cruelty and violence against people, as well as to produce a series of policy recommendations to help prevent domestic abuse from occurring in the first place. This legislation also authorizes a $2 million annual grant program to support mental health experts, law enforcement, and animal welfare organizations in their efforts to stop animal cruelty and domestic abuse.
“Animal abusers have a significantly higher likelihood of committing future acts of interpersonal violence,” said Congresswoman Titus. “Despite this, animal abuse continues to be treated as an isolated act rather than a deeper indicator of violent behavior. By collecting data to study the link between animal and domestic abuse, we will be able to make informed legislative decisions that improve public safety, decrease incidents of domestic violence, and protect animals.”
“There is a clear connection between animal abuse and interpersonal violence, but more research is needed to help our communities effectively prevent and respond to red flags when we see them,” said Senator Peters. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill would improve our understanding of how a history of animal abuse can lead to future violence, while directing needed federal resources to the local partners who work to protect our communities each and every day.”
This legislation has the support of the ASPCA, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Animal Welfare Institute, Humane Society Legislative Fund, National Sheriffs’ Association, National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA), American Psychological Association, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Sheltering Animals and Families Together Program, Humane Rescue Alliance, and Four Paws USA.
According to the FBI, 70% of convicted animal abusers have committed another crime, with nearly 40% having committed violent crimes against people.
Buchanan is a leading advocate for protecting endangered species and ending animal cruelty, introducing several important animal measures, including the PACT ACT, the nation’s first federal animal cruelty law. This legislation banned extreme forms of animal cruelty and torture. Most recently, his legislation to end government-mandated animal testing to determine a drug’s human efficacy was signed into law.
Buchanan, who co-chairs the Animal Protection Caucus in Congress, is the only two-time winner of the U.S. Humane Society’s Legislator of the Year Award for protecting endangered species and ending animal cruelty.
