WASHINGTON— Today, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted in favor of H.R. 4638, the Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals (BOWOW) Act, a bill that ensures any alien who harms a law enforcement working animal is immediately inadmissible and removable from the United States. This legislation is sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA).

“Harming a law enforcement working animal is appalling and evil,” said Rep. Simpson. “I strongly support streamlining the inadmissibility and removability process for aliens who commit such acts. As a dog lover and someone who adamantly supports the working dogs who have served on the front lines, voting in favor of this legislation was one of the easiest decisions of my congressional career.”

Background:

The BOWOW Act would make the assault of an animal used by federal law enforcement a deportable offense under Section 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It would also make applicants with such offenses on their record inadmissible to the U.S. under Section 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The measure was approved with a vote of 228-190.