H.R. 8911: Animal Violence Exposes Real Threat of Future Violence Act of 2026

The "Animal Violence Exposes Real Threat of Future Violence Act of 2026" aims to address issues related to animal cruelty and its potential link to future violence against humans. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Short Title

The bill is officially referred to as the "AVERT Future Violence Act of 2026."

Definitions

The bill provides definitions for key terms:

• Animal cruelty: This includes actions such as harming or killing animals intentionally or recklessly, neglecting animals, and various forms of mistreatment. Certain practices, like veterinary care or necessary animal management, are excluded from this definition.
• Eligible entity: This term refers to states, local governments, courts, Indian Tribes, and organizations with a history of addressing animal cruelty issues, among others.

Study on Animal Cruelty

The Attorney General, through the National Institute of Justice, is required to conduct a study within three years of the bill's enactment. The study will:

• Investigate the factors that lead individuals to commit acts of animal cruelty.
• Analyze how animal cruelty may predict future violence against humans.

The study will review scientific literature and recommend best practices for interventions to prevent animal cruelty and rehabilitate offenders.

Recommendations

The Director of the National Institute of Justice will report to Congress with recommendations for:

• Addressing risk factors for animal cruelty.
• Developing effective interventions for both juveniles and adults convicted of animal cruelty.

Stop Future Violence Grant Program

The bill authorizes the establishment of a grant program by the Attorney General to assist eligible entities. The goals of this program include:

• Developing detection strategies for animal cruelty.
• Providing resources for early interventions to rehabilitate offenders.

Funds from these grants may be used for training personnel, enhancing data collection systems, and refining policies related to animal cruelty.

Authorization of Appropriations

The bill authorizes the appropriation of $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 for the study on animal cruelty and an additional $2,000,000 for the grant program aimed at preventing future violence.

Relevant Companies

None found