Alarmed by 'Tiger King,' senators propose ban on private ownership of big cats

[Eugene]

Source: ABC News

Alarmed by 'Tiger King,' senators propose ban on private ownership of big cats

The measure would also ban public handling of lion and tiger cubs.

ByMichelle Stoddart
19 April 2021, 18:21
• 6 min read

The hit show "Tiger King" has triggered not only a huge fan following but now a proposed law to ban private ownership of so-called "big cats."

A group of bipartisan Senate lawmakers on Monday announced they will introduce legislation to ban unlicensed ownership of tigers and lions and public handling of cubs at big cat exhibits.

The Big Cat Public Safety Act, unveiled by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Tom Carper, D-Del., and Richard Burr, R-N.C., would ban the ownership by unlicensed individuals and ban public contact with cubs at exhibits.

The law comes about a year after the release of the Netflix hit show, "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness," which profiled individuals who owned big cats and ran private zoos, sanctuaries and wildlife attractions.

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Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/alarmed-tiger-king-senators-propose-ban-private-ownership/story?id=77171832

[Demovictory9]

1. Good

[RainCaster]

2. But no ban on assault rifles?

Apparently, big cat breeders are not buying enough politicians.

There are a number of large reptiles that should be banned as pets, too. FL is overrun with boas that people release when they get bored with them.

[catrose]

3. People have been trying to get the Big Cat Safety Act through for years.

Last edited Mon Apr 19, 2021, 10:28 PM - Edit history (1)

It made it through the House last session, and at least into committee in the Senate, but of course nothing got voted on under McConnell. So I'm not sure why they're giving Tiger King credit. Whatever it takes, I guess.

[Darwins_Retriever]

4. What is the law's definition of a Big Cat

Zoologically, big cats are those capable of roaring. There are only 3: lions, tigers, and jaguars. But there are non-big cats that are exhibited and kept as "pets." Are these covered by the law: cheetahs, civets, leopards, mountain lions ...

[Eugene]

5. Per the expired 2020 bill: "... species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar..."

Summary of the similar bill from the previous Congress.
Passed by the House, but not acted on by the Senate.:

Summary: H.R.1380 — 116th Congress (2019-2020) All Information (Except Text)
There are 3 summaries for H.R.1380.
Passed House (12/03/2020)

Shown Here:
Passed House (12/03/2020)
Big Cat Public Safety Act

This bill 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). Specifically, it revises restrictions on the possession and exhibition of big cats, including to restrict direct contact between the public and big cats.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1380