(7) Federal animal fighting cases often involve 
dozens, if not hundreds of seized animals. 
(8) Between 2016 and 2019, the United States 
Department of Justice seized over 1,000 dogs in ani-
mal fighting cases. 
(9) Holding times for animals seized in Federal 
animal fighting cases can stretch on for over a year. 
After 64 dogs were seized from twelve locations in 
a Federal animal fighting case in 2016, some ani-
mals were held for up to 436 days. 
(10) Seizing 367 dogs in a Federal animal 
fighting case in 2013 required sheltering dogs for up 
to 390 days. Fifty-three percent of the dogs in that 
case declined behaviorally, with 30 percent of them 
deteriorating to such a degree that they had to be 
humanely euthanized. 
(11) Reducing the time that seized animals 
must be held before courts determine their legal dis-
position is the best way to minimize the trauma ani-
mals have experienced at the hands of their abusers. 
(12) The unique nature of animals compared to 
other seized assets requires higher costs to the gov-
ernment and to partnering animal welfare organiza-
tions. 
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(13) Animal welfare organizations have shel-
tered animals for several Federal investigations at 
costs ranging from $900,000 to more than $3 mil-
lion. 
(14) Uncertainty regarding who is ultimately 
responsible for the cost of care for the seized ani-
mals discourages future animal fighting investiga-
tions, which means fewer animals saved. 
(15) Expediting the disposition process for ani-
mals seized in Federal animal fighting cases will 
provide better outcomes for animals, reduce financial 
burdens on animal welfare organizations partnering 
with Federal agencies, and will provide more space 
in shelters for other animals in need. 
SEC. 3. REDUCED NOTICE PERIOD. 
(a) NOTICE TIMING FOR CASES OF ANIMAL SEI-
ZURE.—Section 983(a)(1)(A) of title 18, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
clause: 
‘‘(vi) With respect to an animal seized 
under section 26 of the Animal Welfare 
Act or under section 1955 of this title, 
clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (v), shall be ap-
plied by substituting ‘30-days’ for ‘60- 
days’.’’. 
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(b) NOTICE PROCEDURES FOR CASES OF ANIMAL 
SEIZURE.—Section 983(a)(1) of title 18, United States 
Code, as amended by this Act, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B) by inserting ‘‘and with 
respect to an animal seized under section 26 of the 
Animal Welfare Act or section 1955 of this title, 
that the delay is warranted in light of the criteria 
in subparagraph (G)’’ after ‘‘if the official deter-
mines that the conditions in subparagraph (D) are 
present,’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (C) by inserting ‘‘and with 
respect to an animal seized under section 26 of the 
Animal Welfare Act or section 1955 of this title, 
that the delay is warranted in light of the criteria 
in subparagraph (G)’’ after ‘‘that the conditions in 
subparagraph (D) are present,’’; and 
(3) by adding after subparagraph (F), the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(G) With respect to an animal seized 
under section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act or 
section 1955 of this title, the period for sending 
notice under this paragraph may be extended 
only after consideration of the following: 
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‘‘(i) The cost to the government of 
caring and providing shelter for the ani-
mal. 
‘‘(ii) The psychological and physical 
health of the animal and the effect the 
delay will have on its rehabilitation. 
‘‘(iii) Any increased risk that the 
delay could necessitate the euthanasia of 
the animal. 
‘‘(iv) Any psychological harm incurred 
by the animals’ owner due to the delay in 
disposition.’’. 
SEC. 4. SEIZURES OF ANIMALS. 
(a) 
PAYMENT
FOR
CERTAIN
COSTS.—Section 
524(c)(1) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by 
adding after subparagraph (I), the following: 
‘‘(J) payment for the transportation, shel-
ter, care, veterinary services, and where appro-
priate, humane euthanasia of an animal seized 
under section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act or 
under section 1955 of title 18.’’. 
(b) REIMBURSEMENT AND PROPORTIONALITY.—Sec-
tion 983(h) of title 18, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end, the following: 
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‘‘(4) In any civil forfeiture proceeding in which 
the Government prevails, the court shall require the 
claimant, to reimburse the United States for any ac-
tual and reasonable costs to the government for the 
transportation, shelter, care, veterinary services, or 
where appropriate, humane euthanasia of an animal 
that was the subject of the proceeding. The reim-
bursement shall be credited to the agency or fund 
that was used to pay the costs being reimbursed. 
‘‘(5) In any civil forfeiture proceeding in which 
an animal is subject of the proceeding, the court 
may reduce the size of a reimbursement based on 
any of the following factors: 
‘‘(A) The seriousness of the offense. 
‘‘(B) The culpability of the claimant. 
‘‘(C) The claimant’s prior record. 
‘‘(D) The claimant’s financial condition 
and need to support a family. 
‘‘(E) The purpose of the forfeiture statute 
in question. 
‘‘(6) Nothing in this section should be inter-
preted to reimburse the United States for any costs 
other than for costs related to animals seized under 
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section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act or under sec-
tion 1955 of title 18.’’. 
Æ 
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