Born Free USA applauds the passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 263) in the U.S. House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote of 278-134, bringing the bill a meaningful step closer to becoming law.
There are thousands of big cats currently kept in private captivity in the United States, despite the private keeping of such dangerous, wild animals creating significant welfare concerns for the animals, as well as severe safety risks for the public and first responders. If enacted, the Big Cat Public Safety Act will close the door on this cruel and dangerous practice, as well as protect members of the public visiting zoos and other animal exhibits from harm by prohibiting close interactions with big cats, including photo ops and cub petting.
Angela Grimes, CEO of Born Free USA, said, “Born Free USA and our partners have worked tirelessly for over a decade to promote and move this critical legislation forward. The indisputable truth is big cats do not belong in homes, basements, or backyards. Keeping big cats as pets not only causes great suffering to these wild animals, but it creates a serious safety risk to their owners, the public, and first responders, including law enforcement. It is high time we protected big cats and the public from this unnecessary harm, and the House vote today brings us one crucial step closer to seeing an end to this cruel, dangerous practice. We thank Representatives Quigley and Fitzpatrick for their determined, dedicated championship of this bill and we look forward to working towards its passage in the Senate.””
“Ultimately, this legislation is about public safety. Any American can imagine the danger that exotic cats can pose. These are predators, not pets. Law enforcement has long advocated for legislation that will keep dangerous wild animals out of their communities and reduce the risk to first responders and the animals themselves,” said Representative Mike Quigley. “I have been proud to work alongside law enforcement groups and animal organizations to ensure this bill will make both neighborhoods and animals safer. For too long, lax laws have allowed private citizens to own big cats. The animals subject to these grotesque conditions deserve better. I hope my colleagues in the Senate will swiftly take up this legislation so we can make a difference for communities across the country and save these animals from a life of confinement and restriction.””
“As a member of the bipartisan Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I am committed to ensuring our government is doing its part to promote animal welfare,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “For too long, big cats have been mistreated, exploited, and abused in private roadside zoos. Our Big Cat Public Safety Act will prohibit the unlicensed, private possession of big cats and restrict their direct contact with the public, and I am proud to again join Congressman Quigley in championing this bipartisan bill.”
The bill’s passage in the House of Representatives represents a significant victory for all of the charities, sanctuaries, zoos, law enforcement organizations, and the many individuals who have advocated for this important legislation, but there is more work to be done. We now urge the Senate to follow suit and bring this bill up for a vote, for the sake of animal welfare and public safety.
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