Update (April 21, 2016): Unfortunately, this bill failed to pass the House by a vote of 35-41.
Bill Description:
This bill would prohibit the importation and private possession of big exotic cats, defined as tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, and hybrids.[teaserbreak]
Exemptions to this prohibition:
Zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, research facilities as defined in the Animal Welfare Act, temporary transport of a big cat through the state, traveling circuses, and school mascots.
Background:
Private ownership of big cats was banned under Louisiana law, but in 2014 a bill (S.B. 250) was signed into law carving out an exemption just for one man: Michael Sandlin, owner of a truck stop that has a tiger on display.
Specifically, this law allows Tony the Truck Stop Tiger to be kept isolated and on display in Grosse Tete, Louisiana. Sandlin’s truck stop has been cited by the USDA in the past for unsanitary feeding practices, mishandling tigers, failure to provide veterinary care, lack of shelter from inclement weather, lack of clean drinking water, and no knowledgeable employees to care for the tigers — but his exhibit has not been shut down.
The 2014 law, expressly designed to appease Sandlin, was a waste of the state’s resources and again sentenced Tony to lifetime behind bars.
H.B. 1084 would provide a partial remedy to this absurd exemption by ensuring that Sandlin cannot acquire another big cat in the future.
Check out our exotic pets page and our database of exotic pet incidents for more info on why private possession of big cats is a major threat to animal welfare and public safety.
Read the full text here.