The enforcement of animal welfare laws is very important to USDA OIG, and we work closely with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate allegations consistent with or related to the following federal statutes:
- The Animal Welfare Act 7 U.S.C. §§ 2131 - 2160
- The Animal Fighting Venture Prohibition Act, 18 U.S.C. § 49
- The Horse Protection Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1821- 1831
- Transportation of Animals, also known as, the Twenty-Eight Hour Law, 49 U.S.C. § 80502
- The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, formerly known as the Animal Crush Video Statute, 18 U.S.C. § 48
USDA OIG’s principal litigation partner when violations of animal welfare laws are uncovered is the Department of Justice (DOJ), Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), who, together with U.S. Attorneys' Offices, works to ensure full effect is given to the federal statutes and enforcement regimes that provide for the humane treatment of captive, farmed, and companion animals across the United States.
Where appropriate, ENRD's Environmental Crimes Section (ECS) brings criminal prosecutions under these laws against, for example, people who are involved in the illegal blood sports of dog and co*ck fighting. In these cases, ECS works with investigators from USDA OIG, various Department of Justice law enforcement agencies (Federal Bureau of Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, and other investigative partners.
ENRD also developed a civil program aimed at filing civil forfeiture actions to acquire title to animals involved in fighting operations. ENRD’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section litigators stand ready to file civil forfeiture actions which can often result in animals being permanently removed from their alleged abusers far more quickly than through the criminal forfeiture process. From 2015-2023, USDA OIG’s efforts, in cooperation with DOJ, have led to the rescue of more than 2,400 dogs from suspected dog fighting operations around the country.
Additionally, over the course of hundreds of animal welfare investigations, USDA OIG has learned that certain forms of animal cruelty, such as dog and co*ckfighting, can be part of a highly organized interstate criminal industry that not only harms animals, but also threatens public safety. Other criminal activities, including drug trafficking, unlawful possession of firearms, illegal gambling, stolen vehicles and property offenses, and child endangerment, are frequently associated with dog and co*ckfighting ventures.
For more information, please visit the Department of Justice website - About the Animal Welfare Litigation Program.
To learn more about dogs rescued from animal fighting, please visit the U.S. Marshals Service website - Help A Rescue Dog.
