UPDATE: A heated debate erupted in the House of Representatives this week as the GOP seeks to amend the BOWOW Act, aiming to deport immigrants convicted of harming law enforcement animals. This urgent move comes amidst renewed scrutiny of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem following revelations from her memoir, No Going Back, where she admits to shooting her own puppy, Cricket.
During a House Judiciary Committee meeting on September 26, 2023, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) quoted Noem’s graphic account of the incident, highlighting the irony of her role in enforcing animal protection laws. The committee was addressing amendments to the bill, which seeks to ensure that anyone found guilty of harming an official working animal can be deported.
Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) passionately argued for the bill, referencing a recent case involving an Egyptian man who pleaded guilty to “violently kicking” a Customs and Border Protection dog named Freddie at Washington Dulles International Airport in June. After paying the vet bill, he returned to Egypt and will not be allowed back in the U.S. “We must make it clear that harming a law enforcement animal disqualifies a foreign national from entering our country,” McClintock stated.
Moskowitz countered this argument with a shocking reminder of Noem’s past, reading aloud her own admission from her memoir: “I hated that dog… I realized I had to put her down. So, I grabbed a gun and led Cricket to a gravel pit.” The stark juxtaposition of Noem’s actions and the proposed legislation ignited discussions among lawmakers.
In response, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) introduced an amendment to rename the BOWOW Act to the “Kristi Noem Canine Protection Act,” aiming to reflect the contradictions in Noem’s stance on animal welfare. “If we are serious about protecting dogs, we must also hold accountable those who have admitted to harming them, including those at the highest levels of government,” Goldman remarked.
The debate not only highlights the ongoing tensions in Congress but also raises questions about accountability for those in power. Moskowitz emphasized the importance of consistent standards, stating, “The Secretary of Homeland Security should not be exempt from the scrutiny that we apply to others.”
The GOP’s push for this legislation comes as animal rights advocates and various organizations call for stricter protections for working animals. The proposed amendments are part of a broader effort to ensure that individuals who harm these animals face severe consequences, including deportation.
Meanwhile, Noem defended her past actions during a podcast appearance in September, claiming the incident has been weaponized against her politically. “I absolutely love animals… that situation was hard,” she stated, while also revealing another controversial incident involving a goat she claimed was dangerous.
As the debate unfolds, the Department of Homeland Security has yet to comment on these developments. The implications of this bill, particularly in light of Noem’s history, could have lasting impacts on how animal cruelty cases are handled within the immigration system.
Next Steps: The House Judiciary Committee will continue discussing the amendments to the BOWOW Act in the coming days, and further developments are expected as lawmakers grapple with the implications of Noem’s controversial past.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
