United States Bans Slaughter of Cats and Dogs for Food 

The Dog and Cat Meat Prohibition Act (HR 6720) recently passed as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, making the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption illegal across the United States. Prior to the passage of HR 6720, the practice was legal in 44 states and incidents of slaughtering these species for food were recently discovered in Hawaii, New York, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania. The act was supported by animal-rights group Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation (AHWF), which focuses on banning the cat and dog meat trade worldwide. The line between animals that are considered “friends” and those exploited for “food” is arbitrary, as evidenced by the longstanding practice of consuming cats and dogs in countries around the world. AHWF founder Marc Ching believes the new law sets a precedent for at least two of the many species of animals farmed for food. “I am overjoyed at the passage of HR 6720,” Ching said. “This is a major victory for the animals, prohibiting the consumption of two entire species while at the same time strengthening activists and groups in other countries looking to do the same.” Earlier this month, AHWF co-sponsored the California State Fur Ban (A44)—a bill introduced by assembly member Laura Friedman that, if passed, would ban the sale and manufacturing of animal fur across the state of California.