U.S. Senate Passes Legislation Restricting Trade In Exotic Big Cats; Bill Cracks Down on Pet Trade for Tigers, Lions, and Other Big Cats

10/31/2003

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation's largest animal protection organization, is applauding the U.S. Senate for passing legislation that cracks down on the burgeoning pet trade in exotic big cats. The Senate passed the legislation by unanimous consent today. An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 exotic cats, such as lions and tigers, are kept as pets in the United States.

Senators James Jeffords (I-VT) and John Ensign (R-NV) introduced the legislation in January as S. 269, the Captive Wildlife Safety Act. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), the chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, moved the legislation through the Committee and to the Senate for final approval. The bill bars interstate and foreign commerce of dangerous exotic animals, including lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars and cougars, for the pet trade. The bill is not a complete prohibition on ownership of these animals, though The HSUS opposes private ownership in unlicensed facilities for these species and several states do have complete bans on ownership of some species of dangerous exotic animals.

"As the tragic accident involving Roy Horn has demonstrated, lions and tigers are unpredictable and even the best trainers can't be entirely safe around them," stated Wayne Pacelle, a senior vice president for The Humane Society of the United States. "The U.S. Senate has taken the responsible step in passing this legislation and we urge the House of Representatives to quickly follow suit."

"These cats are large and powerful animals, capable of injuring or killing innocent people," stated Senator Jeffords. "There are countless stories of many unfortunate and unnecessary incidents where dangerous exotic cats have endangered public safety."

"We've taken a major step toward ending the practice of keeping large, dangerous animals as pets-a practice that endangers people and often leads to the mistreatment of the animals," Senator Ensign said.

"In the last five years alone, it is estimated that nearly a hundred adults and children have been injured or killed by large cats - including the death of a woman in Oklahoma this past spring," said Senator Inhofe. "This critical legislation seeks to address the increasing problem of the unregulated interstate transport of large exotic cats, and I am pleased that it has passed the Senate."

Representatives Buck McKeon (R-CA) and George Miller (D-CA) introduced companion legislation, H.R. 1006, which has passed the House Resources Committee and is awaiting a floor vote.

The legislation is backed by dozens of groups, including The HSUS, Tippi Hedren's Roar Foundation, the Fund for Animals, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The HSUS has more than seven million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The HSUS has protected all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and field work. The non-profit organization, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2004, is based in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices across the country. For more information, visit The HSUS' Web site - http://www.hsus.org.