SB 775, the SAFE Act of 2025, would amend section 12515 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to extend existing federal prohibitions on slaughtering dogs and cats for human consumption to include equines. In practical terms, the bill changes the statutory heading from “Dogs and Cats” to “Dogs, Cats, and Equines” and revises the operative language so that a dog, cat, or equine may not be slaughtered for human consumption.
The measure is narrowly focused and does not create a broader animal welfare regulatory scheme; instead, it updates one federal provision to expressly include horses and other equines. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 27, 2025, by Senator Graham with Senator Luján and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. No amendments, committee votes, or floor votes are provided in the record, so the bill’s procedural status appears to be introductory referral only.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend federal law in 7 U.S.C. 2160 by adding equines to the list of animals protected from slaughter for human consumption. The change would affect slaughter practices, processors, and any related interstate or agricultural activities involving horses, mules, donkeys, and other equines, while leaving the existing prohibitions for dogs and cats intact. It would also signal a federal policy choice to treat equines similarly to dogs and cats for this specific purpose.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and sponsorship, the measure appears to have a protective, animal-welfare-oriented framing, with bipartisan sponsorship from Senators Graham and Luján suggesting an intent to appeal across party lines. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes in the provided material, there is no documented opposition or support beyond the introduction itself. The available record therefore indicates a neutral-to-supportive procedural posture, but not a broader legislative consensus.
Contention
The main substantive issue is whether federal law should explicitly prohibit slaughter of equines for human consumption, which may raise concerns among stakeholders in the horse industry, agricultural processing sector, and those focused on property rights or market uses of horses. Supporters are likely to emphasize humane treatment and the symbolic extension of existing protections for companion animals, while opponents may argue that the bill restricts lawful agricultural or commercial activity. No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or votes.
Expressing the disapproval of the House of Representatives regarding the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption and encouraging Japan to enact a nationwide ban on such practices.
Establishes transporting for slaughter, selling or otherwise providing for slaughter, or slaughtering gestating cow as crime of fourth degree; establishes criminal and civil penalties therefor; designated as Brianna's Law.