Bill to Bar Big Cats in Private Homes Passes House

On International Tiger Day (July 29), the House of Representatives passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act by a vote of 278–134, aiming to end several abusive practices associated with keeping big cats in captivity. The bill would prohibit private individuals from possessing lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrid of these species. Additionally, it would ban public petting, playing with, feeding, and photo ops with cubs. The Senate now has until the end of the year to pass the bill and send it to President Biden’s desk.

The big Bengal tiger growls in the Thai zoo.
Photo by Adsiak Banpot
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Program Terms: Terrestrial Wildlife

AWI Quarterly Terms: Government/Legal, Quick Read

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