Big cats rejoice, the House passed a resolution that would ban breeding big cats, including tigers and lions, by private owners or for commercial “cub petting” ventures.
Advocates who have long sought an end to private breeding of exotic animals as pets or as performance animals are celebrating the passing of The Big Cat Public Safety Act. The new act would close loopholes in the 2003 Captive Wildlife Safety Act, which banned the sale and trade of big cats as pets. The new resolution bans the private breeding and possession of tigers, lions, leopards, and panthers, making exceptions for zoos, sanctuaries, and colleges.
The bill, brought forth by Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) has been cosponsored by 259 representatives, including 52 republicans, and was adopted in a vote of 278-134. A joint statement released Monday by several animal welfare organizations implored congress to “finish the job and close loopholes.”
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, explained that “Far too often, the people who own and breed lions, tigers, and other wild cats aren’t doing it because they love animals—they’re doing it because they know they can make a quick buck with photo ops and other problematic tourist traps.” Grijalva said that the animals trapped in these operations are given “the cheapest care and the lowest standard of safety” by owners, “putting both these creatures and people at risk.”
“I’m proud to see so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle recognize the importance of this legislation,” Grijalva added, urging his colleagues in the Senate to usher these “commonsense protections for these animals and ourselves into law.”
Animal welfare advocates believe that placing controls on the breeding, sale, and ownership of exotic animals is not only vital for animal welfare but for the preservation of public safety. Private ownership of exotic animals of all varieties has resulted in deaths, maulings, and escapes that often result in law enforcement having to euthanize the animal involved. In 2011, dozens of animals, including lions, tigers, monkeys, bears, and wolves, were intentionally released from a private zoo in Zanesville, Ohio. Law enforcement was ultimately forced to kill 48 of the animals.
While the Big Cat Safety act does ban breeding of large exotic cat species, it does not require that current private owners of these animals surrender them. Current owners will be allowed to keep their animals if they register with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Naturally 134 Republicans were against this. Because they are just bad.