The Big Cat Public Safety Act, which was previously backed by “Tiger King” actress and animal rights campaigner Carole Baskin, is now on its way to President Biden’s desk, Fox News informed.
The measure aims to improve on existing laws to forbid the possession of large cats as pets and prevent their exposure to public petting and photo opportunities.
Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., claimed in a statement that this bill has been one of the most significant initiatives of his career in Congress.
He has been working on this legislation since 2019 and was overjoyed to see the Senate advance it to completion last night.
He said that he looks forward to President Joe Biden signing the bill into law and that he believes in it, as do numerous animal rights organizations and law enforcement agencies who will benefit from its approval.
The House approved the measure in July by a vote of 278 to 134. Early in August, the Senate received the proposed law and gave it two readings before passing it.
The statute forbids the breeding or possession of such wildlife as well as any “import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire or purchase in interstate or foreign trade.” Big cat and hybrid ownership would be restricted to accredited zoos, public colleges, and wildlife sanctuaries.
According to the bill’s language, exhibit animals must be kept at least 15 feet away from people unless a “permanent barrier” is in place that would be sufficient to keep people away.
Current large cat owners will be allowed to retain their pets, but they are not allowed to breed, sell, or buy any of the restricted wildlife species.
President Biden noted in a statement issued in late July that the Administration supports H.R. 263, the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which would strengthen the existing laws that safeguard big cats like tigers, cheetahs, and jaguars as well as other wild animals kept in captivity in the United States.
According to the President, the Administration looks forward to working with Congress as H.R. 263 moves through the legislative process to take additional measures to safeguard the general public and endangered large cats.
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