LEASH Act of 2026

This legislation aims to enhance the reporting and tracking of felony animal cruelty convictions across the United States by amending the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act. It mandates that states and local governments applying for Byrne Justice Assistance Grants must certify they will report data on felony animal cruelty convictions, including the names of individuals convicted, to the Attorney General. Furthermore, the bill directs the Attorney General to establish a publicly accessible database within two years of enactment, which will compile and periodically update this reported information. Grant allocation under the Byrne program will also prioritize jurisdictions that submit this crucial data to the National Incident-Based Reporting System. These changes are designed to improve data collection on animal cruelty and incentivize reporting by linking it to federal grant eligibility.