House passes bill prohibiting human consumption of cat, dog meat

WASHINGTON (WCMH) — A bill in congress prohibiting the trade and consumption of cat, and dog meat is one step closer to becoming law. 

House of Representatives bill 6720, called the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018, would make it illegal for a person to knowingly slaughter a dog or a cat for human consumption.

The law would also make it illegal for a person to knowingly ship, transport, possess, purchase, sell or donate dog or cat meat for human consumption.

Currently only California, Georgia, Michigan, New York, and Virginia have laws specifically prohibiting the butchering of dogs and cats for human consumption. 

Anyone who breaks the law could face a $5,000 fine for each violation.

The proposed law does make an exception for Indian tribes, however, who may carry out the activity for the purpose of a religious ceremony.