Born Free USA applauds the passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R. 1380) in the U.S. House of Representatives in a 272 – 114 vote, bringing the bill a significant step closer to becoming law.
“After months of the public loudly and clearly calling for Congress to end private big cat ownership, I am extremely pleased that the House has now passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act. Big cats are wild animals that simply do not belong in private homes, backyards, or shoddy roadside zoos. Too often, law enforcement and first responders are the ones who end up in danger from these animals and, in a time when our first responders are already facing increased risk from the pandemic, we owe it to them to limit the additional dangers they face on the job,” said Congressman Mike Quigley, sponsor of the bill. “Animals like tigers, lions, leopards, and pumas should not be exposed to the miserable conditions so many of them in our country currently face. By passing the Big Cat Public Safety Act we are one step closer to ensuring these animals are treated humanely and to keeping the public safe from dangerous big cats.”
There are thousands of big cats, such as tigers, lions, leopards, and pumas, held captive across the United States, suffering in unnatural and often cramped and unsanitary conditions. Captivity robs these wild animals of the ability to live the lives they were meant to have – free and in their natural habitats. Captivity also brings big cats into close proximity to humans, creating tense and dangerous conditions for the animals and people alike.
The Big Cat Public Safety Act would strengthen existing law to prohibit the possession of big cat species by private individuals, with exemptions for zoos, universities, and bona fide sanctuaries. Additionally, the bill would ban direct public contact with big cats, such as cub petting and photo ops, activities that harm and exploit the animals, endanger the public, and drive the rampant and irresponsible breeding and interstate trade in captive big cats in the U.S.
Angela Grimes, CEO of Born Free USA, said, “Nine years ago, in Zanesville Ohio, we witnessed the horrific consequences of a private individual possessing big cats and other dangerous wild animals. The result was a national tragedy not only for the owner and the animals, but also for local law enforcement who were forced to quickly handle the situation without proper knowledge or resources. I look back on that day and am grateful for how far we have come thanks to Congressman Quigley, Congressman Fitzpatrick, and the many other animal welfare champions in Congress. We applaud the House for standing for animal welfare and public safety by passing the Big Cat Public Safety Act and encourage the Senate to swiftly take up the bill before the end of the year.”
“I am pleased to see the House passed our Big Cat Public Safety Act today. For too long, big cats have been mistreated, exploited, and abused in private roadside zoos,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. “As a member of the bipartisan Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I’m committed to ensuring our government is doing its part to promote animal welfare. It is crucial we stand up for animals, both as individuals and as a society, and our legislation takes an incredible step to protect all animals.”
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.
