A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as "Dunkin's Law" and was introduced in the House to amend the Animal Welfare Act. It adds protections for companion animals held or cared for at certain commercial facilities. The text defines a "sentient being" as a domesticated mammal customarily kept as a household companion, such as dogs, cats, and rabbits. It explicitly excludes livestock, poultry, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and arachnids from this definition. The bill also defines commercial pet facilities to include boarding, daycare, training, grooming, overnight care, and other paid companion animal services. Finally, it provides owners the right to bring a federal court action to recover damages if their sentient being suffers harm, neglect, or death at a commercial pet facility.
Yes
- Scored +6
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
Dunkin's Law provides companion animal owners the right to bring federal court actions for damages if their pets suffer harm or neglect at commercial facilities.
- Scored +4
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal court jurisdiction to hear civil damage claims regarding companion animal neglect at commercial facilities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 2(c), adding Section 19(e)(1) to the Animal Welfare Act: This provision allows owners of a sentient being to bring an action in federal court to recover damages suffered, court costs, and reasonable attorneys fees and expenses if their animal suffers harm, neglect, or dies while held or cared for by a commercial pet facility. This is a positive outcome for people because it holds paid facilities accountable and helps owners seek financial recovery when their animals are mistreated or die.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain explicit details regarding potential negative impacts or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Dunkin's Law provides companion animal owners the right to bring federal court actions for damages if their pets suffer harm or neglect at commercial facilities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal court jurisdiction to hear civil damage claims regarding companion animal neglect at commercial facilities.
- 10/26/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Introduced in House