Born Free USA applauds yesterday’s reintroduction of the Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 263) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Reintroduced by Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), this bill would ban the private possession of big cat species, with exemptions for zoos, universities, and bona fide sanctuaries. The bill also bans direct public contact with big cats, removing a strong incentive to breed big cats unchecked for profit. In December 2020, this important legislation passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, but was not taken up by the Senate before the end of the 116th Congress. Born Free USA calls on the newly gaveled-in 117th Congress to quickly pass the reintroduced bill.
“Animals like tigers, lions, leopards, and pumas simply do not belong in private ownership. Not only does it place the public – including law enforcement and first responders, in grave danger – it also often results in these animals living in miserable conditions,” said Rep. Mike Quigley. “After passing the House of Representatives last year with strong bipartisan support, I look forward to the Big Cat Public Safety Act advancing quickly and hopefully being signed into law this year. It’s long past time that we act to protect the public and ensure big cats are treated humanely.”
Thousands of big cats are held in cruel captivity across the U.S., forced to live in grossly substandard conditions that cannot meet even their most basic needs. The animals languish without sufficient space, proper veterinary care, a nutritious diet, and opportunities for enrichment and socialization, unable to live the kind of lives they are meant to live in their natural habitats.
Many roadside zoos also breed big cats, taking newborn babies away from their mothers to supply cubs for lucrative cub petting and photo op activities. Removing cubs from their mothers is inhumane and unhealthy and can cause lifelong physical and psychological problems – or even death – for the cubs. When cats get too large and difficult to handle, most end up at substandard “zoos,” sold into the exotic pet trade, or possibly even killed and sold for parts, all while breeders continue to churn out cubs.
Big cat captivity is also a serious risk to public safety. Big cats are wild animals that cannot be tamed or domesticated. The inadequate and frustrating nature of captivity can often prompt wild animals to react dangerously, leading to hundreds of incidents of big cat attacks and escapes. In many cases, when a captive big cat attacks or breaks free, the animal pays with his or her life, as was the case in Zanesville, Ohio in 2011, when a private exotic animal owner released dozens of big cats and other wild animals near a community, requiring law enforcement—caught unaware and unprepared— to kill many of the animals – and risk their own lives – for the sake of public safety.
Angela Grimes, Born Free USA CEO, says, “This year marks the ten year anniversary of the tragic incident in Zanesville, Ohio, which shined a spotlight on private ownership of big cats, and the animal cruelty and serious risk to public safety and law enforcement that goes along with it. With the Big Cat Public Safety Act passing the House late in the 116th Congress, now is the time to finally pass this important legislation that would offer a much-needed check to the rampant exploitation and abuse of big cats and their cubs for profit. We thank Rep. Quigley and Rep. Fitzpatrick for championing and reintroducing this vital bill, and urge Congress to swiftly pass it.”
It is long past time for the Big Cat Public Safety Act to become law. Born Free USA calls on Congress to act quickly to pass this bill, for the sake of animal welfare and public safety.
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