Purpose: Bans direct contact between the public and big cats at licensed exhibitions.
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Status: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture.
Action: SUPPORT. Please contact your U.S. Representative and urge him or her to support H.R. 5909. Tell your Representative that lions, tigers, and other big cats are dangerous wild animals and should not be allowed to have direct contact with the public. Every year, individuals are attacked, maimed, and sometimes killed because they come into contact with captive big cats.
Talking Points for your letter:
- Every year, individuals are attacked, maimed, and sometimes killed because they come into contact with captive big cats.
- H.R. 5909 is a reasonable measure that would protect public health and safety by banning physical contact between the public and these large cats at exhibitions licensed under the Animal Welfare Act. This is a very basic commonsense requirement that will protect the children and adults who attend such exhibitions.
- Allowing children or even adults to have their photos taken with these large cats or to engage in sensationalist stunts, such as placing their heads inside the animals’ mouths, is simply begging for tragedy. Eliminating direct contact between these animals and the public is a step in the right direction and it is long overdue.