USAgNet
Friday, December 1, 2006

President Bush has signed the 'Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act,' which expands criminal prohibitions against the use of force, violence, and threats involving animal enterprises and increases penalties for violations of these prohibitions.

As defined by the bill, 'animal enterprises' include commercial and academic enterprises that use or sell animals or animal products for profit, food, agriculture, education, research and testing. This definition also includes equine activities such as rodeo, horse shows and similar lawful equine events.

Sponsored by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), this bill amends the Animal Enterprise Act of 1992. The American Horse Council was a major supporter of that legislation and worked hard with other industry groups to make sure that the final legislation protected horse events.

The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent in September, just prior to the Congressional recess. A similar bill, H.R. 4239, was approved by the House of Representatives this month.