2010 State Legislation:
Illinois: HB 4801 Bans the Ownership of Primates as Pets
Born Free USA Position: SUPPORT
Update: Good news! This bill was signed in to law. Thanks to everyone who took action on this important piece of legislation.
Bill Description: If this bill passes, it will be illegal to own any type of primate as a pet.
Oklahoma: SB 1798 prohibits the private possession or breeding of large cats and their hybrids, bears and all non-primates
Born Free USA Position: SUPPORT
Update: Unfortunately this bill failed in committee.
Bill Description: These exotic animals, by their very nature, can exhibit unpredictable and aggressive behavior and cannot be tamed. There are numerous reported incidents of their escapes and attacks on people and other animals. Many of these incidents tragically involve children. At Born Free USA, we have compiled databases of thousands of such incidents involving exotic animals.
Washington: SB 6644 Permits the Trapping of Raptors
Born Free USA Position: OPPOSE
Bill Description: If this bill passes, it will establish state falconry permits. This bill specifies that the prohibition on the body-gripping traps does not apply to the capture of a raptor under a falconry permit.
Action: Please contact your state Senator and urge him or her to oppose SB 6644.
Vermont: S 113 Bans Coyote Contest Hunts
Born Free USA Position: Support
Update: Unfortunately this bill has died.
Bill Description: This bill bans coyote hunting competitions,
Defined as contests in which "people compete in the capturing or taking of coyotes for a prize or recognition based on the size, quality, or number of animals taken." We fully support your effort to end these inhumane contests.
Not only are these contests cruel and the cause of great suffering for coyotes, they are not appropriate or effective wildlife management tools, contrary to the arguments of many hunters.
Missouri: HB 1288 & SB 832 Establish the Large Carnivore Act
Born Free USA Position: SUPPORT
Update: This bill is still active but the next hearing has been set.
Bill Description: This bill establishes the Large Carnivore Act which regulates the ownership, possession, and breeding of large carnivores.
Action: Please contact your state Senator and urge him or her to support HB 1288 and SB 832.
Tennessee: SB 1322 & HB 1438 Bans the Public Sale of Animals along Streets
Born Free USA Position: SUPPORT
Update: This bill is still active but it stalled in committee. Your support is still needed.
Bill Description: If this bill passes, it will make it a Class B fine only offense if someone is found selling live animals on public streets, parks or for businesses to offer live animals as prize or for promotion purposes. This bill would place a safeguard on the sale of animals at flea markets.
Action: Please contact your state Senator and urge him or her to support SB 1322 & HB 1438.
To read the full text of this bill and to track its progress visit: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov
THANK YOU for your willingness to speak out for animal protection issues! Your voice has the power to help influence elected officials to improve the lives of countless animals. It's time to get involved, if you are not already.
Please be aware that our State Legislative web pages do not necessarily list every animal protection bill pending in the various state legislatures. If you are aware of a bill in your state and it is not listed here, please let us know! We invite you to forward a newspaper article or other information that describes the bill so that we can research it. Please forward this information to:
Legislation
Born Free USA
P.O. Box 22505
Sacramento, CA 95822
916-447-3070 fax
legislation@bornfreeusa.org
