Big Cat Public Safety Act
8/20/2023, 1:30 AMSummary of Bill HR 263
Bill 117 HR 263, also known as the Big Cat Public Safety Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address the issue of public safety concerns related to the ownership and breeding of big cats, such as lions, tigers, and leopards, by private individuals.The bill aims to prohibit the private ownership of big cats and the breeding of these animals for personal use. It also seeks to establish stricter regulations for facilities that house big cats, such as zoos and sanctuaries, to ensure the safety of both the animals and the public.
Additionally, the Big Cat Public Safety Act includes provisions for the transportation of big cats across state lines and the handling of these animals in a safe and humane manner. The bill also addresses the issue of cub petting, which is a practice that involves allowing the public to interact with young big cats, often leading to exploitation and mistreatment of the animals. Overall, the Big Cat Public Safety Act is aimed at promoting the welfare of big cats and protecting the public from potential dangers associated with the private ownership and breeding of these animals. It is currently under review in Congress and has garnered support from animal welfare advocates and conservationists.
Congressional Summary of HR 263
Big Cat Public Safety Act
This act revises requirements governing the trade of big cats (i.e., species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species) under the Lacey Act to limit the possession, breeding, and exhibition of big cats. The Lacey Act prohibits any person from importing, exporting, buying, selling, transporting, receiving, or acquiring big cats across state lines or the U.S. border. However, some exemptions are provided for certain entities, such as universities and wildlife sanctuaries.
(Sec. 3) The act expands the Lacey Act prohibitions to include a prohibition on possessing or breeding big cats. Breeding means facilitating propagation or reproduction (whether intentionally or negligently), or failing to prevent propagation or reproduction. Owners of big cats that were born before this act's enactment may keep their big cats, but the owners must register them with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The act modifies the list of entities that are exempt from prohibitions to export, buy, sell, transport, receive, acquire, possess, or breed big cats. The modified list includes exemptions for entities or facilities exhibiting animals to the public if they (1) hold a Class C license in good standing under the Animal Welfare Act, and (2) do not allow individuals to come into direct physical contact with big cats. However, direct contact is allowed if the individual is a trained professional, a veterinarian, or directly supporting conservation programs that do not involve commercial activities and meet other specified restrictions.
(Sec. 4) A person who knowingly violates the act must be fined not more than $20,000, or imprisoned for no more than five years, or both. The act considers each violation to be a separate offense. The offense must be deemed to have been committed not only in the district where the violation first occurred, but also in any district in which the defendant may have taken or been in possession of the prohibited wildlife species.
(Sec. 5) The act extends forfeiture provisions to fish, wildlife, or plants that are bred or possessed; thus, big cats bred or possessed in violation of the act are subject to forfeiture.
(Sec. 6) The Department of the Interior must issue regulations to implement this act.
