---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 2160"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "2160"
heading: "Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/2160"
units:
  - "Chapter 54 — Transportation, Sale, and Handling of Certain Animals"
---

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

- (a) **In general—** Except as provided in [subsection (c)](#c), no [person](/usc/7/2132.md?p=a) 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)](#a) shall apply only with respect to conduct—
  - (1) in or affecting interstate [commerce](/usc/7/2132.md?p=c) or foreign [commerce](/usc/7/2132.md?p=c); or
  - (2) within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
- (c) **Exception for Indian tribes—** The prohibition in [subsection (a)](#a) shall not apply to an Indian (as defined in [section 5304 of title 25](/usc/25/5304.md)) carrying out any activity described in [subsection (a)](#a) for the purpose of a religious ceremony.
- (d) **Penalty—** Any [person](/usc/7/2132.md?p=a) who violates [subsection (a)](#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](/usc/7/2132.md?p=d) or local law or regulation protecting the welfare of [animals](/usc/7/2132.md?p=g); or
  - (2) prevents a [State](/usc/7/2132.md?p=d) or unit of local government from adopting and enforcing an [animal](/usc/7/2132.md?p=g) 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.)

## Notes

### 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.