§ 2279e. Civil penalty
(a)
In general
Any person that causes harm to, or interferes with, an animal used for the purposes of official inspections by the Department of Agriculture or the Department of Homeland Security, may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing on the record, be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of Homeland Security not to exceed $10,000.
(b)
Factors in determining civil penalty
In determining the amount of a civil penalty, the Secretary concerned shall take into account the nature, circumstance, extent, and gravity of the offense.
(c)
Settlement of civil penalties
The Secretary concerned may compromise, modify, or remit, with or without conditions, any civil penalty that may be assessed under this section.
(e)
Secretary concerned defined
In this section and section
2279f of this title, the term “Secretary concerned” means—