Protecting Animals

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.