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HR 453 105th Congress House

Downed Animal Protection Act

Official title: To amend the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, to make it unlawful for any stockyard owner, market agency, or dealer to transfer or market nonambulatory cattle… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, to make it unlawful for any stockyard owner, market agency, or dealer to transfer or market nonambulatory cattle, sheep, swine, horses, mules, or goats, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 25, 1998 See on congress.gov
Animals Administrative procedureAgriculture and FoodCommerceCrime and Law Enforcement
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Department of AgricultureEuthanasiaFines (Penalties)Government Operations and PoliticsHealthLawLivestockLivestock industryProtection of animalsVeterinary medicine
This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 6, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry.
Jan 21, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Jan 21, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 6, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Downed Animal Protection Act - Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to make it unlawful for any stockyard owner, market agency, or dealer to buy, sell, give, receive, transfer, market, hold, or drag any nonambulatory livestock unless such livestock has been humanely euthanized. Imposes civil and criminal penalties for violations.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 453: Downed Animal Protection Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-453/
MLA
"H.R. 453: Downed Animal Protection Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-453/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 453, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-453/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 453: Downed Animal Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-453/)
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