Top Law and Government Legislation regarding 'Protection of animals' in Federal Government

Captive Primate Safety Act - Amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to add nonhuman primates (i.e., monkeys, great apes, lemurs, etc.) to the definition of "prohibited wildlife species" for purposes of the prohibition against the sale or purchase of such species in interstate or foreign commerce.

Makes it unlawful for a person to sell or purchase a live animal of any prohibited wildlife species in interstate or foreign commerce (i.e., for pet trade purposes). Sets forth: (1) exceptions to such prohibition; and (2) civil and criminal penalties for violations of the requirements of this Act.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, to prescribe regulations to reduce the incidence of vessels colliding with North Atlantic right whales by limiting the speed of vessels. Requires those regulations to incorporate the whale protection measures contained in a specified proposed rule and to provide the same or greater level of protection.

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 23, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the African Elephant Conservation Act and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 to: (1) authorize appropriations for FY2007-FY2012 for such Acts; (2) increase the amount that may be used for administrative expenses to carry out such Acts; and (3) repeal provisions requiring the Secretary of the Interior to notify countries regarding the approval of conservation projects for African elephants, rhinoceros, and tigers.

Urges the government of Canada to end the commercial seal hunt that opened in the waters off the east coast of Canada on November 15, 2006.

Urges the government of Canada to end the commercial seal hunt that opened in the waters off the east coast of Canada on November 15, 2006.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, to prescribe regulations to reduce the incidence of vessels colliding with North Atlantic right whales by limiting the speed of vessels. Requires those regulations to incorporate the whale protection measures contained in a specified proposed rule and to provide the same or greater level of protection.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, to prescribe regulations to reduce the incidence of vessels colliding with North Atlantic right whales by limiting the speed of vessels. Requires those regulations to incorporate the whale protection measures contained in a specified proposed rule and to provide the same or greater level of protection.

Captive Wildlife Safety Technical Amendments Act of 2008 - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 relating to the enforcement of, and civil and criminal penalties under, the Captive Wildlife Safety Act. Prohibits any person from importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, or purchasing in interstate or foreign commerce any live animal of any prohibited wildlife species.

Authorizes appropriations to carry out captive wildlife offense provisions for FY2009-FY2013.

Requires the Attorney General to modify the National Incident Based Reporting System, the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, and the Law Enforcement National Data Exchange Program to list cruelty to animals as a separate offense category.

Condemns violent attempts to resist the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and encourages all parties involved in the conflict to reach a lasting cease-fire.

Encourages the U.S. government to state publicly its support for the disarmament and reintegration of forces loyal to General Nkunda into the national army.

Condemns the infiltration of soldiers into the Virunga National Forest and the danger it poses to the mountain gorillas.

Expresses support for the designation of a National Animal Rescue Day to create awareness for animal rescue programs, address overpopulation through continued spaying and neutering of adopted pets, and bring Americans together to support this common goal.

Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly transferring, transporting, or possessing a confined exotic animal for purposes of allowing the killing or injuring of that animal for entertainment or for the collection of a trophy. Defines "confined exotic animal" as a mammal of a species not indigenous to the United States that has been held in captivity for the majority of its life or a period of one year.

Immunity from Claims Related to Donated Horses Act of 2007 - Requires each humane organization that receives any horse or mule to hold the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, harmless from any demand, suit, action, or claim arising from or related to the government's donation of the horse or mule, including damages to the organization's property and any personal injury, disability, or death of any officer, employee, or agent.

Authorizes horses and mules belonging to the federal government that have become unfit for service to be adopted by the DHS agents who have worked with such horse or mule.