Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act of 2025
Floor Speech
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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4638, the Federal Working Animal Protection Act. This legislation was inspired by a member of Customs and Border Protection's Beagle Brigade named Freddie.
This is a picture of Freddie right here.
Freddie is a 5-year-old agricultural inspection beagle who works for Customs and Border Protection. His job, along with other members of the Beagle Brigade, is to prevent the importation of illegal agricultural products in the United States, imported foods and other products that pose a significant risk to both American farmers and the American food supply at large.
Last summer, during a routine inspection at Dulles International Airport, Freddie alerted his handler to suspicious luggage belonging to an Egyptian national at which point he was violently kicked and flung into the air by the man. Fortunately, Freddie has made, as was pointed out, a full recovery and is back on duty.
With increased attacks on law enforcement, it is vital that our working animals receive the protections that they deserve.
For that reason, I introduced the Federal Working Animal Protection Act. This legislation would make the assault of any Federal working animal by a non-U.S. citizen a deportable offense.
The Federal Government employs a wide range of working animals--a lot of people don't know that--not just dogs but including horses and even dolphins. All of these animals work to protect us from threats both at home and abroad, and they should be given protection while they are performing their duties to keep us all safe.
Mr. Speaker, we cannot let this heinous act go unanswered. If you are a foreign national in our country and you hurt a Federal working animal, under this new law, you will be immediately deported.
I thank the chairman, Chairman Jordan, my friend Chairman McClintock, and the House Judiciary Committee staff for helping to bring this legislation to the House floor. I urge all my colleagues to approve this bill.
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