Sustained collaboration and shared resources are necessary to deliver lasting protection for animals, say Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund
WASHINGTON (Feb. 19, 2026)—Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund, are encouraged to see the U.S. Department of Justice announce a new multi-agency plan to prioritize animal welfare enforcement cases. Law enforcement plays a vital role in responding to animal crimes and keeping communities safe, and these groups offer the following statements on the intersection of public safety, animal protection and actions government policy makers can take to strengthen this work.
Kitty Block, president and CEO, Humane World for Animals:
“Ending animal cruelty requires strong, trusted relationships with law enforcement at every level, from local sheriffs to federal agencies. In 2025, we worked alongside local authorities in Florida, South Carolina and Indiana to rescue nearly 200 dogs from suspected dogfighting operations—crimes that often intersect with illegal drugs, weapons and other violence. And in 2022, we worked with the Agriculture and Justice departments on the historic rescue of over 4,000 beagles from a facility breeding dogs for laboratories in Virginia. We see firsthand the benefits when animal protection organizations and law enforcement collaborate in sharing intelligence, strengthening reporting systems and coordinating rescues. This allows us to not only save animals from horrific abuse but also helps make communities safer. These partnerships are indispensable to dismantling cruelty networks and holding perpetrators accountable.”
Sara Amundson, president, Humane World Action Fund:
“To get to the root causes of animal cruelty, we advocated for the passage of the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act and the PACT Act, which was signed during the first Trump Administration. Today, we applaud the Justice Department for championing a truly coordinated approach with the Agriculture Department to crack down on the perpetrators of the worst forms of animal abuse. Our assistance with providing care for animals from these federal cases has been critical, and our policy work is to ensure no animal ever languishes in an animal fighting ring, a bad breeding facility or roadside zoo again. Now, for real change to occur, DOJ, alongside its federal, state and local partners must ensure the efforts outlined in this new plan translate into lasting protection for animals.”
Read more from Kitty Block and Sara Amundson on the momentum happening this year for animal protection and stopping animal cruelty at the local, state and federal level.
Download Photos/Video from the 2022 beagle rescue
Media Contact: Liz Bartolomeo; ebartolomeo@humaneworld.org, 240-475-0472
