Bill Description:
This bill weakens the Large Carnivore Act by expanding the exemptions to that law.[teaserbreak]
The Large Carnivore Act prohibits:
(a) Owning or possessing a large carnivore, except for specific facilities exempted under the Act;
(b) Breeding a large carnivore; and
(c) Transferring ownership of a large carnivore.
It also regulates, for those facilities that are exempted from these prohibitions, many aspects of large carnivore care, including permits, confinement, and other owner duties.
S.B. 146 adds the following exemptions to these prohibitions and requirements:
– Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) or the Zoological Association of America (ZAA);
– Approved by the American Sanctuary Association (ASA); and/or
– Meets or exceeds all standards required of a Class A or Class C licensee.
To summarize, this bill would add giant loopholes to Michigan’s prohibition on the ownership and breeding of large carnivores by individuals and non-reputable facilities.
Background:
It is important to maintain a strong prohibition on the ownership of large carnivores by private individuals, roadside zoos, and disreputable “sanctuaries.”
Check out our page on exotic pets for more details on why private ownership of wild animals is both cruel and dangerous.
It is problematic to include the ZAA in these exemptions because their standards for accreditation are very poor. This organization see animals as commodities rather than sentient beings, and exists to further their own profit-making rather than to ensure animal welfare. The accredit facilities such as petting zoos and roadside zoos. These are exploitative wildlife attractions — ranging from backyard menageries to so-called “sanctuaries,” to drive-through parks — most of which display various species of captive wildlife for a fee. Disguised as conservation, educational, or rescue facilities, roadside zoos and menageries are among the worst abusers of captive wildlife. Among the more benign discoveries, inspectors frequently documented animals being kept in cramped, dirty cages, often surrounded by trash. Read more about these horrific facilities here.
Including ASA in the exemptions is problematic as well. ASA does not inspect the sanctuaries that it accredits, so there is no accountability. They also do not hold sanctuaries to the same high standards of animal welfare and public safety that the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) does. Sanctuaries should absolutely be exempted from the Large Carnivore Act, so that they continue providing life-saving care and refuge for these animals in Michigan. Only by exempting GFAS, however, could this bill ensure that the sanctuaries are bona fide rather than shady exhibitors masquerading as sanctuaries.
Our Exotic Animal Incidents Database details specific incidents involving exotic animals (including large carnivores), many of which resulted in injury or death to people and/or the animal.
Take Action:
Michigan residents, contact your state senator and urge him or her to oppose this legislation!
Read the full text and follow its progress here.