Federal officials in Los Angeles Wednesday announced a new task force to prosecute animal abuse cases, including "animal crush" videos that depict extreme cruelty.

The federal Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump during his first term in 2019.

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"Animal abuse is among the most heartbreaking and despicable type of crimes that law enforcement sees," Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. "Together with our federal and local partners, my office intends to root out and punish those who profit from hurting animals."

The new task force will be led by federal prosecutors in the environmental crimes and consumer protection section working in partnershi

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