House passes bill aiming to ban people from eating cats and dogs

The House passed a bill on Wednesday aimed at outlawing the slaughter of cats and dogs for human consumption.

Florida Reps. Vern Buchanan, a Republican, and Alcee Hastings, a Democrat, have been working since 2017 on the “Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018,” which seeks to fine people up to $5,000 for killing, shipping, selling or donating a cat or dog with the intended purpose of human consumption.

The bill includes an exception for Indian tribes “carrying out any activity described … for the purpose of a religious ceremony.”