The BOWOW Act (Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act) establishes a new immigration enforcement mechanism targeting aliens who harm animals used in law enforcement operations. The legislation creates explicit grounds for both inadmissibility and deportability based on violations of existing federal criminal law protecting law enforcement animals. By incorporating these offenses into the Immigration and Nationality Act, the bill ensures that non-citizens who commit acts of violence against police dogs, horses, and other working animals face immigration consequences in addition to criminal penalties. This represents a targeted expansion of immigration enforcement priorities to protect government property and law enforcement resources, while also serving as a deterrent against attacks on animals that serve critical public safety functions.

Who sponsored HR4638?

Ken Calvert, Claudia Tenney, Tom Tiffany, Daniel Webster, Tom McClintock, Greg Steube, Burgess Owens, Darrell Issa, Pat Harrigan, Brian Fitzpatrick, Vern Buchanan, Dan Newhouse, Michael Rulli, Roger Williams, Don Bacon, Pete Stauber, Nick LaLota, Brandon Gill, Elijah Crane, Nancy Mace

What is the status of HR4638?

Engrossed as of March 19, 2026.

The BOWOW Act (Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act) establishes a new immigration enforcement mechanism targeting aliens who harm animals used in law enforcement operations. The legislation creates explicit grounds for both inadmissibility and deportability based on violations of existing federal criminal law protecting law enforcement animals. By incorporating these offenses into the Immigration and Nationality Act, the bill ensures that non-citizens who commit acts of violence against police dogs, horses, and other working animals face immigration consequences in addition to criminal penalties. This represents a targeted expansion of immigration enforcement priorities to protect government property and law enforcement resources, while also serving as a deterrent against attacks on animals that serve critical public safety functions.

Who sponsored HR4638?

Ken Calvert, Claudia Tenney, Tom Tiffany, Daniel Webster, Tom McClintock, Greg Steube, Burgess Owens, Darrell Issa, Pat Harrigan, Brian Fitzpatrick, Vern Buchanan, Dan Newhouse, Michael Rulli, Roger Williams, Don Bacon, Pete Stauber, Nick LaLota, Brandon Gill, Elijah Crane, Nancy Mace

What is the status of HR4638?

Engrossed as of March 19, 2026.

HR4638 U.S. House: Federal Working Animal Protection Act

Engrossed

H. R. 4638

July 23, 2025

Mr. Calvert (for himself, Ms. Tenney, Mr. Tiffany, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Steube, Mr. Owens, Mr. Issa, Mr. Harrigan, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Rulli, Mr. Williams of Texas, and Mr. Bacon) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act” or the “BOWOW Act”.

Engrossed

H. R. 4638

July 23, 2025

A BILL

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act” or the “BOWOW Act”.

Engrossed

H. R. 4638

July 23, 2025

A BILL

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act” or the “BOWOW Act”.

Engrossed

H. R. 4638

July 23, 2025

A BILL

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of harming animals used in law enforcement is inadmissible and deportable, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals Act” or the “BOWOW Act”.

H.R.4638

H. R. 4638

H.R.4638

H. R. 4638

H.R.4638

H. R. 4638

H.R.4638

H. R. 4638