A bill to direct the Attorney General to conduct a study on animal cruelty, and for other purposes.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4562 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4562 To direct the Attorney General to conduct a study on animal cruelty, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 19, 2026 Mr. Peters (for himself and Mr. Tillis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To direct the Attorney General to conduct a study on animal cruelty, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Animal Violence Exposes Real Threat of Future Violence Act of 2026'' or the ``AVERT Future Violence Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Animal cruelty.--The term ``animal cruelty''-- (A) means-- (i) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly harming or killing an animal, including maiming, mutilating, torturing, wounding, poisoning, engaging in animal fighting, and sexually abusing an animal, or attempting to do so; or (ii) intentionally or knowingly neglecting or depriving an animal of necessary sustenance or shelter, or attempting to do so; and (B) does not include any conduct that is-- (i) customary and normal veterinary, agricultural husbandry, or other animal management practice; (ii) the slaughter of animals for food; (iii) hunting, trapping, fishing, a sporting activity not otherwise prohibited by Federal law, predator control, or pest control; (iv) medical or scientific research; (v) necessary to protect the life of a person; or (vi) performed as part of euthanizing an animal. (2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means-- (A) a State; (B) a unit of local government; (C) a State or local court (inclu