House passes bill that would deport noncitizens for harming police animals

The House on Thursday passed a bill that would make foreign nationals and noncitizens inadmissible to the U.S. and subject to deportation if they are convicted of, or admit to, harming animals used in law enforcement.

The legislation, dubbed the Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals (BOWOW) Act, passed the lower chamber by a vote of 228-190. Fifteen Democrats voted with Republicans and Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-Calif.) in favor of the measure.

The Democrats who supported the bill were Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas), Don Davis (N.C.), Sharice Davids (Kan.), John Garamendi (Calif.), Jared Golden (Maine), Vicente Gonzalez (Texas), Josh Gottheimer (N.J.), Greg Landsman (Ohio), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), Adam Gray (Calif.), Josh Riley (N.Y.), Eric Sorensen (Ill.), Tom Suozzi (N.Y.) and Eugene Vindman (Va.). 

The House passes a 228–190 bill to deport non-citizens who harm federal K9s, following incidents including an attack on CBP dog Freddie.pic.twitter.com/0wp0WIDgzZ

— Brandon Straka #WalkAway (@BrandonStraka)March 19, 2026