[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 127 (Friday, July 29, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E807-E808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BIG CAT PUBLIC SAFETY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 263, the 
``Big Cat Public Safety Act'' which would prohibit the private 
possession, breeding, and public exploitation of lions, tigers, 
leopards, and other large cats.
  H.R. 263 amends the animal rights protections outlined in the ``Lacey 
Act'' and the ``Captive Wildlife Safety Act'' by prohibiting the import 
and shipment of big cats in the U.S., preventing public contact with 
big cats outside of academic and research institutions, and halting the 
illegal breeding of cubs by private owners.
  I have long been an advocate for protecting big cats.
  In the 114th Congress, I proudly sponsored the ``Cecil the Lion 
Endangered and Threatened Species Act of 2015'' which prohibited the 
importation of any endangered animal killed via trophy hunting, 
including African lions, amur leopards, and other big cat species.
  Today I will continue to fight for the wellbeing of these animals by 
urging Congress to pass this equally important piece of legislation--
H.R. 263.
  It is estimated that there are anywhere between 10,000 and 20,000 big 
cats living in private captivity within the U.S.
  In fact, the Humane Society has been quoted saying that there are 
more tigers in captivity in Texas alone, than there are in the wild in 
the entire world;
  These noble animals often live in terrible conditions and are at risk 
of abuse and neglect at the hands of inexperienced and untrained 
handlers.
  Many big cats are used as side show attractions for private roadside 
zoos that masquerade as rescue sanctuaries.
  Under the guise of wildlife conservation, private animal collectors 
manipulate the public into paying money and offering donations for the 
upkeep of their big cats. While private owners profit off the animals, 
the living conditions of the lions, tigers, leopards, and other animals 
rarely improve.
  Under H.R. 263, private owners would be allowed to retain their 
current animals--with restriction.
  This legislation would mandate that all privately owned big cats be 
registered to ensure that first responders and animal control officers 
are aware of the presence of big cats within their communities.
  This allows police to be prepared in the event of an animal attack or 
escape.
  In 2021 a 175-pound tiger was famously caught on film stalking an 
off-duty police officer in Houston. Videos show the officer aiming

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a pistol at the tiger as the animal continued to prowl closer.
  It took law enforcement officials more than a week to track down and 
arrest the wild animal's owner. Had this animal been registered to the 
city, the owner would have been identified and the situation would have 
been more rapidly resolved.
  Fortunately, in that instance neither city residents nor the tiger 
were harmed. However, that is not always the case with captive big 
cats.
  Since 1990, more than 400 dangerous incidents involving big cats have 
occurred across the country.
  Four children and 16 adults have lost their lives. Hundreds more have 
been mauled or mutilated.
  Big cats cannot be domesticated.
  They are not pets whose ancestors have lived alongside humans for 
thousands of years.
  They are not for human amusement.
  Regardless of how much human contact these animals experience, big 
cats will always maintain their natural instinct to hunt and attack.
  They are, and always will be, wild animals.
  While large menageries of adult tigers and leopards attract tourists 
to private zoos, baby cats are the most lucrative resource for private 
animal collectors.
  Unregulated zoos receive the majority of their income through the 
despicable practice of ``cub-petting.''
  Cub petting requires that baby lions, tigers, and other cats be 
ripped from their mothers just hours after birth so that they can be 
handled and photographed by paying tourists.
  Because visitors want to see the smallest and youngest cubs, zoos 
only put cubs on display until they are about 8 to 12 weeks old.
  At that point, the cubs become financial and safety liabilities.
  Once they are too big to be used for cub petting some are killed, 
distributed on the black market for animal parts, or sold for pets.
  The ``Big Cat Public Safety Act'' would put a stop to this barbaric 
and inhumane practice by prohibiting the accidental and intentional 
breeding of new cubs.
  H.R. 263 would allow big cat breeding only by wildlife sanctuaries, 
veterinarians, universities, and zoos that have qualified and trained 
staff acting within the best interest of animals and ecological 
conservation.
  The bill would also require that any public observation of big cats 
be at a distance of 15 feet, thus preventing the continued practice of 
cub-petting and big cat photo ops.
  By implementing these reforms, Congress can continue to support the 
protection of endangered species while preventing the exploitation and 
abuse of big cats in America.
  I have consistently called for the development of pragmatic, 
environmentally friendly, and economically efficient strategies for 
addressing and resolving environmental and animal rights crises.
  This bill is a viable solution to the plight of big cats in American 
captivity.
  The ``Big Cat Public Safety Act'' is an invaluable step towards 
preventing animal abuse and threats to public safety in the United 
States.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I encourage my 
constituents to steer clear of any and all private big cat zoos or 
collections. There are ways to honor and observe these magnificent 
animals while ensuring they receive the respect and care they deserve.

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