Dunkin’s Law

James Gallagher

Republican · CA · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

2026-10-26

Source: Congress.gov

Plain-English summary pending. Introduced on 2026-10-26. Check back soon — summaries are generated as bills progress through Congress.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 10910 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 10910 To amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide for the protection of companion animals held or cared for at certain facilities, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 26, 2026 Mr. Gallagher introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide for the protection of companion animals held or cared for at certain facilities, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as ``Dunkin's Law''. SEC. 2. PROTECTING COMPANION ANIMALS HELD OR CARED FOR AT COMMERCIAL PET FACILITIES. (a) In General.--Section 2(g) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2132(g)) is amended by inserting ``sentient being,'' after ``rabbit,''. (b) Other Definitions.--Section 2 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2132) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(p)(1) The term `sentient being' means a domesticated mammal customarily kept as a household companion, including dogs, cats, and rabbits. ``(2) Such term does not include livestock, poultry, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and arachnids. ``(q) The term `boarding facility' means a commercial establishment that houses companion animals overnight for compensation. ``(r) The term `daycare operation' means a commercial establishment that supervises companion animals during daytime hours for compensation. ``(s) The term `training facility' means a commercial establishment that provides behavioral or obedience training services for companion animals for compensation. ``(t) The term `commercial pet facility' means a facility that provides, with respect to sentient beings, one or more of the following services: ``(1) Boarding. ``(2) Daycare. ``(3) Training. ``(4) Grooming. ``(5) Overnight care. ``(6) Any other commercial service in which a companion animal is held or cared for in exchange for compensation.''. (c) Enforcement.--Section 19 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2149) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(e)(1) An owner of a sentient being who suffers harm or neglect or dies while held or cared for by a commercial pet facility may bring an action in the appropriate Federal court and recover the damages suffered, court costs, and reasonable attorneys fees and expenses. ``(2) An entity described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 28(a)(2) shall be considered a commercial pet facility for purposes of applying paragraph (1) in any case in which such entity is convicted for the euthanization of a sentient being that is conducted in violation of the laws of the State or locality in which such entity is located. ``(3) In this subsection, the term `damages suffered' means the economic and noneconomic damages arising from the harm, neglect, or death of a sentient being, including veterinary expenses, replacement value, the sentient being's pain and suffering, and the owner's emotional distress, as determined by the Federal court in which an action under paragraph (1) is brought and in such amounts as may be determined by such court.''. <all>

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