Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted on Mar. 19 in favor of H.R. 4638, known as the Bill to Outlaw Wounding of Official Working Animals (BOWOW) Act, which aims to make any non-citizen who harms a law enforcement working animal immediately inadmissible and removable from the United States. The legislation was sponsored by Representative Ken Calvert.
The issue is significant because it addresses the protection of animals that serve alongside federal law enforcement officers and strengthens consequences for those who harm them.
“Harming a law enforcement working animal is appalling and evil,” Simpson said. “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.”
The BOWOW Act would classify assaulting an animal used by federal law enforcement as a deportable offense under Section 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It would also render applicants with such offenses on their record inadmissible to the United States under Section 212(a)(2) of the same act. The measure passed with a vote count of 228-190.
Simpson has represented Idaho’s 2nd district in Congress since replacing Mike Crapo in 1999, according to the official biographical guide. He previously served in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1984 to 1998, as reported by the U.S. House history records. Born in Burley, Idaho in 1950, Simpson is now 72 years old and lives in Idaho Falls, according to local news sources. He graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972.
The passage of this bill reflects ongoing efforts within Congress to address crimes against service animals and could set new standards for how such offenses are handled at a national level.
