House Passes Latest Version of Crush Video Prohibition
Thursday, July 22, 2010

The Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010 Moves to Senate for Approval

The House of Representatives has passed The Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010, to ensure that the crush animal video market does not reopen after the Supreme Court invalided the 1999 law in April.

The latest version of the crush video prohibition, H.R. 5566, has proven to be the most successful effort so far, and was the only version of the bill that won full approval from the House Judiciary Committee. This version of the bill differs from earlier versions because it includes a requirement that any depiction (photograph, motion-picture film, video recording, or electronic image showing conduct in which one or more living animals is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, or impaled) be “obscene,” not just cruel. It also has exemptions for veterinary and agricultural husbandry practices as well as depictions of hunting.

This bill offers far less protection to animals than other versions of the bill, omitting dog fighting videos. But the purpose of passing this legislation is to put a stop to the crush video industry with a law that can withstand any First Amendment challenges. This bill should accomplish that purpose, even if it fails to extend its protection to other depictions of animal cruelty.

Please contact your U.S. Senators and ask them to support this bill.