Bills
| 3.23.22

Should the Breeding & Private Possession of ‘Big Cats’ Like Lions & Tigers Be Prohibited? (H.R. 1380)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 1380?

(Updated March 10, 2022)

This bill — the Big Cat Public Safety Act — would prohibit private ownership of big cats (such as tigers, lions, leopards, and pumas), the breeding & possession of such animals, and prohibit exhibitors from allowing public contact with cubs. People who already own such animals could keep them if they register with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Wildlife sanctuaries, veterinarians, colleges & universities, zoos, exhibitions, and other entities that meet certain requirements would be exempt from these requirements.

This bill aims to prevent the mistreatment of wild animals and limit the danger posed by these animals to the public, including first responders who are called upon following escapes & attacks. Current law already prohibits the import, export, purchase, sale, transport, and acquisition of big cats across state lines or the U.S. border.

Argument in favor

This bill would prohibit the breeding & private possession of big cats unless the current owners register with the Fish & Wildlife Service, in addition to banning them from allowing the public to have direct contact with cubs. It will end inhumane practices that exploit big cats.

Argument opposed

This bill would make the regulatory process for zoos & other legitimate owners of big cats unnecessarily complex & convoluted by involving the Fish & Wildlife Service in regulations that are already administered by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Impact

Big cat owners & breeders; people who would have contact with big cat cubs; animal welfare entities & first responders; and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Cost of H.R. 1380

The CBO estimates that implementing this bill would cost $3 million over the 2020-2024 period.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced this bill to ban the breeding & private possession of big cats, such as lions & tigers, with exemptions for qualified wildlife caretakers and for individuals who already own such animals & register with the Fish & Wildlife Service:

“From irresponsible breeding to inhumane living conditions and public exploitation, the mistreatment of big cats comes in a variety of forms. By introducing the Big Cat Public Safety Act, we are working to address a serious issue that causes immeasurable animal suffering and introduces inexcusable threats to human safety. State laws regarding private ownership of big cats are inconsistent or nonexistent, which is why a uniform federal law is necessary to end this dangerous industry once and for all.”

Original cosponsor Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) added:

“As a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I’m committed to ensuring our government is doing its part to promote animal welfare. I’m proud to stand with Rep. Quigley to introduce legislation which will protect big cat wildlife species.”

House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Rob Bishop (R-UT) argued that the bill “does little more than create conflicting enforcement authority between the USDA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” and added in a statement to E&E News:

“If you want to strengthen the USDA permits, strengthen the permits. Dragging another federal agency into the fold does nothing but complicate and convolute… This act does nothing to protect big cats but rather serves special interest groups by pitting small, community and family-owned zoos against big industry and incentivizes pay-to-play schemes to allow big donors to have direct contact with these animals.”

This legislation passed the House Natural Resources Committee on a 21-14 vote in September 2019, after an amendment offered by Ranking Member Bishop was defeated.  It has the support of 227 cosponsors, including 205 Democrats and 22 Republicans.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / munsoo Jahng)