| For the Minnesota owners who found their therapeutic | | | | circuses and furriers. The protection also extends to |
| riding horse Poco shot to death in the pasture, some | | | | fairs that "advance agriculture arts and science," |
| solace might be found with the recent passage of the | | | | according to the bill. |
| Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. | | | | The bill states that it is a crime to "damage or interfere |
| Passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on | | | | with a legitimate legal animal enterprise." |
| November 13, the bill, supported by the American | | | | The act defines the potential fines and imprisonment |
| Horse Council, increases the criminal and monetary | | | | for such related crimes. For example, the guilty party |
| penalties for crimes against animal owners and | | | | can be fined and imprisoned for five years or less if he |
| requires that restitution be made to owners who | | | | or she inflicts between $10,000-$100,000 in damages or |
| suffer particular economic losses. | | | | if there is reasonable fear for serious human bodily |
| The bill's goal is to provide the Justice Department with | | | | injury or death. |
| the authority to apprehend, prosecute and convict | | | | The black and white Pinto Poco was a therapeutic |
| individuals committing animal enterprise terror. | | | | riding horse and belonged to a family with two autistic |
| An animal enterprise, as defined by the bill, includes | | | | sons. The family was planning to open a therapeutic |
| academic and commercial institutions that maintain or | | | | riding summer camp for children with autism. The horse |
| sell animals for profit, agriculture, education, research, | | | | was found shot three times in the leg, and |
| testing, food and legal equine events such as horse | | | | investigators do not believe the shooting to be an |
| shows and rodeos. The bill also protects zoos, | | | | accident. |
| aquariums, animal shelters, pet stores, breeders, | | | | |