Last week, the House of Representatives (the US House of Representatives) passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act. This law prohibits the private property of tigers, lions, and other big cats. This prevents a lot of animal suffering.
The law was passed by a large majority, with 272 in favor and 114 against. In addition to the ban on private ownership of big cats, direct contact must not occur between visitors and the cubs of the big cats on display in which visitors can take a photo for a lot of money. There is much interest in the United States in having a picture with cubs.
Director of the Animal Forensic Defense Fund supports the new legislation:
“Big Cats Don’t Belong to Backyards. Netflix’s” Tiger King “documentary has put the spotlight on captivity and the big cat trade. Public support for the law has only increased because of this, with thousands of Americans and celebrities demanding in the US Congress to do something. It is time to end the private ownership of tigers and lions. And other big cats across the United States. “
For now, big cat protection laws are still regulated by various federal statutes. Because of this, big cats are protected in one case, but not in another. The Public Safety for Big Cats Act should eliminate these differences between states.
Lions, tigers, and other big cats belong to the wild. In situations where the big cats are unable to return to their natural habitat, they should be housed in specialized shelters where the psychological and physical needs of the big cats are known.
Owning big cats puts the people who live near them at risk. Big cats are also dangerous for non-professional caregivers because they do not know how to react in a situation where a lion or tiger is running away. Without a ban on private ownership of big cats, the wildlife trade is stimulated. It creates a financial incentive for people to mate with these animals.
Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Mike Quigley brought the Big Cat Public Safety Act into the House. The latter lets you know:
“After months of loud public noise and an apparent call to Congress to end private ownership of big cats, I am extremely pleased that the House of Representatives has passed the Big Cats Public Safety Act. Big cats are wild animals and they simply do not belong to the dilapidated homes, backyards, or roadside zoos. Executives and protectors of big cats are often still at risk from these animals.Animals such as tigers, lions, cheetahs and cougars should not be displayed in harsh conditions like many big cats in the United States today. By passing the Public Safety for Big Cats Act, we are getting close. One step towards treating big cats in a humane manner and keeping the public safe from these dangerous animals. So I hope the law will be passed by the Senate before the end of the year. “
As Brian Fitzpatrick gladly states that the law has been passed:
“Big cats have been mistreated, exploited, and abused in private zoos for a very long time. As a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Committee, I am committed to ensuring that our government contributes its share of animal welfare. It is important that we defend animals, as individuals and as a community. With this law we are now taking a big step. To protect animals. “
The Senate (United States Senate) has yet to pass the bill. If passed in the Senate, the bill would end the private ownership of lions, tigers, pumas, leopards, and other big cats in the United States.
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