7 USC § 2160 - Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t7/s2160"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "7 USC § 2160 - Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption"
title_number: 7
title_name: "AGRICULTURE"
section_number: "2160"
section_name: "Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption"
chapter_number: 54
chapter_name: "TRANSPORTATION, SALE, AND HANDLING OF CERTAIN ANIMALS"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, § 12515, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 5000.)"
---


# § 2160. Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption

**(a)** **In general** Except as provided in subsection (c), no person may—

**(1)** knowingly slaughter a dog or cat for human consumption; or

**(2)** knowingly ship, transport, move, deliver, receive, possess, purchase, sell, or donate—

**(A)** a dog or cat to be slaughtered for human consumption; or

**(B)** a dog or cat part for human consumption.

**(b)** **Scope** Subsection (a) shall apply only with respect to conduct—

**(1)** in or affecting interstate commerce or foreign commerce; or

**(2)** within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.

**(c)** **Exception for Indian tribes** section 5304 of title 25

The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to an Indian (as defined in ) carrying out any activity described in subsection (a) for the purpose of a religious ceremony.

**(d)** **Penalty** Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be subject to a fine in an amount not greater than $5,000 for each violation.

**(e)** **Effect on State law** Nothing in this section—

**(1)** limits any State or local law or regulation protecting the welfare of animals; or

**(2)** prevents a State or unit of local government from adopting and enforcing an animal welfare law or regulation that is more stringent than this section.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, § 12515, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 5000.)

## Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and not as part of the Animal Welfare Act which comprises this chapter.