The AVERT Future Violence Act of 2026 directs the Attorney General to study the link between animal cruelty and future human violence. Within three years, the National Institute of Justice must research what factors lead people to commit animal cruelty, whether animal cruelty can predict future violence against humans, and what types of violence are most commonly associated with specific animal abuse acts. The bill also creates a grant program for states, local governments, courts, tribal nations, and animal welfare organizations to develop programs that detect animal cruelty early, intervene with offenders, and prevent future violence. These grants can fund law enforcement training, specialized units to address animal cruelty, improved policies and data systems for tracking animal abuse cases, and mental health treatment for offenders. The legislation authorizes two million dollars for the research study and two million dollars for the grant program, with funds remaining available until spent.
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