WEST HARTFORD (AP) — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal visited an animal control facility in Connecticut Monday to push for a bill to prevent animal cruelty.

The Connecticut Democrat went to the West Hartford Animal Control facility to talk about the Prevent Animal Torture and Cruelty, or PACT, Act.

Blumenthal said he and Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania want to outlaw a form of animal abuse known as "crushing," where people maim and torture animals.

"Our bipartisan bill banning the inhumane practice of animal crushing makes clear once and for all that there is no place in a civilized society for the maiming and torturing of animals," Blumenthal said in a statement.

Congress took steps to ban the sale of videos depicting this abuse, but didn't make the underlying act a federal crime, Blumenthal said. And while the PACT Act passed the Senate in 2017, it stalled in the House, he added.

If it becomes law, people found guilty of torturing animals would face felony charges, fines and up to seven years in prison.

"I call on my colleagues to join me in ending this horrific practice once and for all," Toomey said in a statement. "Let's get it passed in both chambers and send it to the president for his signature."

Representatives from the Humane Society joined Blumenthal in West Hartford. The Humane Society of the United States, National Sheriffs' Association, Fraternal Order of Police and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys support the bill, according to Blumenthal's office.