View source for Rules/Illegal Content/Animal Cruelty Exceptions

18 U.S. Code § 48
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    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section--

            ``(1) the term `animal crushing' means actual conduct in 
        which one or more living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or 
        amphibians are purposely crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, 
        impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury (as 
        defined in section 1365 and including conduct that, if committed 
        against a person and in the special maritime and territorial 
        jurisdiction of the United States would violate section 2241 or 
        2242);

            ``(2) the term `animal crush video' means any photograph, 
        motion-picture film, video or digital recording, or electronic 
        image that--
                    ``(A) depicts animal crushing; and

                    ``(B) is obscene; and

            ``(3) the term `euthanizing an animal' means the humane 
        destruction of an animal accomplished by a method that--

                    ``(A) produces rapid unconsciousness and subsequent 
                death without evidence of pain or distress; or

                    ``(B) uses anesthesia produced by an agent that 
                causes painless loss of consciousness and subsequent 
                death.''.
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(d) Exceptions.—

(1) In general.—This section does not apply with regard to any conduct, or a visual depiction of that conduct, that is—

(A) a customary and normal veterinary, agricultural husbandry, or other animal management practice;

(B) the slaughter of animals for food;

(C) hunting, trapping, fishing, a sporting activity not otherwise prohibited by Federal law, predator control, or pest control;

(D) medical or scientific research;

(E) necessary to protect the life or property of a person; or

(F) performed as part of euthanizing an animal.

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