Bipartisan Senate group announces support for ban on big cat ownership
A bipartisan group of senators on Monday unveiled a bill that would ban private ownership of big cats, and make it illegal for exhibitors to allow public contact with cubs.
The legislation, named the "Big Cat Public Safety Act," was introduced by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) to "protect public safety and improve animal welfare," according to a statement from the lawmakers.
Specifically, the bill aims to prohibit the possession of big cats, like lions and tigers, by unlicensed individuals, and restrict direct contact between the public and big cats, including cubs.
The senators wrote that private ownership of big cats "raises significant public safety, animal welfare, and conservation concerns," adding that thousands of big cats are estimated to be living in insecure and unsafe conditions.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/bipartisan-senate-group-announces-support-for-ban-on-big-cat-ownership/ar-BB1fTJrt
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