October 20, 1999
House bans making, selling crush videos
WASHINGTON - The House has voted to make illegal the production and sale of "crush" Videos, which show the torture and killing of small animals.
The legislation, passed 372-42 yesterday; would impose sentences of up to five years for those trafficking in videos for fetishists who watching women, barefoot or In high heels, crushing insects, kittens, hamsters or monkeys.
Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., the measure's chief sponsor, said state laws against cruelty to animals are unlikely to stop those involved in the interstate or overseas market of such videos. They are sold frequently on the Internet.
He said more than 2,000 crush video titles sell for as much as $300