2009 Big Cat Bans Enacted
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Just since 2005 seven states have passed bans or partial bans on the possession of wild animals.
AL, Albertville 5/7/09: “People should be able to walk their neighborhood without fear,” Albertville police Chief Benny Womack. The ordinance approved unanimously by the council Monday covers “ any mammal, amphibian, reptile or fowl which is of a species which, due to size, vicious nature or other characteristics would constitute a danger to human life, physical well-being, or property…” Womack said the law covers the manner in which animals are to be kept, the construction of pens and the requirement that they meet all zoning and building codes. The law governs the display of proper warning signs, which will be provided by the police department. All owners of animals included in the ordinance must register and obtain a permit for the animals, provide two color photographs and provide proof of a minimum of $100,000 in liability insurance.
CA, South Tahoe 4/8/09: A ban on the retail sale of cats and dogs was approved to curb the resale of dogs and cats bred in mills. Breeders still can sell directly to people, and stores can work with rescue groups and shelters to have cats and dogs adopted at their businesses. "We understand that this is the first such ordinance in North America," said Dawn Armstrong of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society & SPCA. "Others can now take courage. With the investigations and the work being done in Southern California and in other states, it just may be the beginning of the end of the puppy mill industry."
FL, Clearwater: This rule was first discovered to be on the books in 2009, but it is unknown as to when it originated. Sec. 8.03. Keeping of certain animals prohibited. No animals, and in particular an animal which by its nature is wild and untamed, bees, reptiles, fowl or livestock, including horses, mules, cows, sheep, hogs or calves, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, shall be kept, harbored, raised or permitted to run at large on any property either public or private within the city limits of the city by any person. (Code 1980, § 91.03)
FL, Deland 5/11/09: Deland requires that all pet cats and dogs be sterilized to prevent unwanted litters from ending up in the county pound.
FL, Ft. Pierce 4/11/09: Pet owners who don’t spay and neuter their cats and dogs must pay a $75 annual fee to register and license the animals, while owners who sterilize their animals would pay $10 annually. The goal is to push people toward sterilizing their animals to limit the number of strays. Failure to comply the city’s ordinance could result in a $100 civil fine for the first offense, $200 for second offense and mandatory court for third offense.
FL, Lee County - Cape Coral 5/30/09: Lee County Animal Services is instituting a trap, neuter, and release program (or TNR) in hopes of controlling the feral cat population. A first for Lee County, the program was developed with help from the public as well as utilizing input from University of Florida. The TNR program hopes to put power into the hands of the public by offering education, traps, and assistance in catching cats.
FL, Ormand Beach 5/24/09: Mandatory sterilzation of pet cats and dogs to prevent shelter deaths.
HI 5/18/09: Animals can be shielded by temporary restraining orders and will receive greater protection from pet hoarders after state lawmakers passed two pieces of legislation aimed at expanding and clarifying animal cruelty laws. Defines an animal hoarder as an individual found in possession of more than 15 dogs, cats or a combination of dogs and cats. The previous number was 20. The bill also clarifies the misdemeanor offense of depriving an animal of sustenance, including food, water and shelter. The bill is aimed at owners who obsessively collect animals and kennel them.
IN, Richmond 4/7/09: The Richmond Common Council passed proposed revisions to the city code regarding domestic and wild animal care and control in the city. Council voted 6-3 in favor of the proposed changes that had to do with care, trapping, breeding, controlled colonies of cats and free roaming animals.
MI, Cadillac 4/8/09: The new taxidermy laws make taxidermists dispose of all animal waste in a type two landfill. They must also keep more detailed records of animals they work on and keep the records for six years. Permit and tag fees are also going up.
MI, Manchester Village: April 20th the Manchester Village Council adopted a new ordinance regarding exotic and wild pets. Village Ordinance 272, bans the owning or keeping of exotic animals in the community and was passed unanimously. "If you allow someone to keep an alligator in their homes and do nothing about it, how far can people go?" Village Mgr. Jeff Wallace said. "That's why we tried to make it as specific as possible." The general penalties for violation of the ordinance could include up to a $1,000 fine and possible 90 days in jail. Each violation is considered a separate offense.
MI, Rosemont 4/9/09: The city of Rosemont banned steel jawed traps after news reports of dogs being killed in them. This ban will help protect bobcats, lynx and domestic cats too.
OH, Perrysburg March 6, 2009: Pending ban. The law, as originally drafted, would allow police to criminally charge any exotic pet owner. "It shall be unlawful for any person in the city of Perrysburg to keep, maintain, or have possession or control over any 'exotic animal,'" the proposed law reads.
OR March 25, 2009: Pending ban. The Oregon Senate passed legislation 3/25/09 to protect exotic animals and phase out Oregon's role in the permitting of exotic pets. Included under the new exotic-pets category are non-domestic cats, non-human primates, non-domestic dogs, crocodiles, and alligators. SB 391 will move the majority of the permitting process to the USDA and give current owners up to a year to renew their permit and then discontinue issuing permits after that date. "These animals pose a danger to our children, our domestic pets, and once cornered, our law enforcement officials don't have the appropriate training to deal with them," said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin). "This is common sense legislation." SB 391 also prohibits the breeding of exotic animals. The bill will now go move to the House for consideration. Wildlife Images director Dave Siddon could tell countless horror stories of wild animals, from lions to bears, adopted as cute babies then cast away after gaining several hundred pounds. "We probably are approached by a half-dozen people a month that have wild animals as a pet and they need a home for it," said Siddon, whose father founded the animal rehabilitation center near Merlin. "Everything from bears to chinchillas and everything in between."
PA Lebanon City Council June 3, 2009: Bans snakes larger than 4 1/2 feet long, reptiles over ten pounds and ALL exotic animals must be kept in their cages. Councilman Wiley Parker said fines range from $50 to $300.
SD 2/4/09: Hunting Mountain Lions With Dogs Banned. Bill #: SB75 would have allowed dogs to be used in the hunting of mountain lions. Fortunately, this horrible bill failed in the Senate (6 Yeas, 27 Nays) See the vote here: http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2009/RollCall.aspx?Vote=801
VT 8/28/09: Price Chopper pulled their sponsorship of the Champlain Valley Exposition when then learned that the fair was going to host a big cat act.
The Felid TAG (Taxon Advisory Group) publicly denounced the practice of keeping exotic cats as pets.
Australia, Adelaide Hills 5/28/09: The RSPCA says by-laws introduced by an Adelaide hills council to reduce cat numbers should be considered across the state. Owners will have to microchip and register cats under new laws. There will also be a limit of two cats per household. "However we do think the only permanent solution to controlling wild and domestic cat populations is desexing." Meanwhile the Kangaroo Island Council will consider introducing a limit on the number of cats that can be kept on a property. The council introduced strict by-laws in 2005 that require compulsory desexing, microchipping and registering of cats.
Australia, Ipswich, Queensland, 6/7/09: Ipswich bans circus animals. The ipswitch City Council has ruled exotic circus animals are a relic of a cruel past. On July 1 Ipswich will become the first Queensland city to ban circuses with exotic animals from using any land under council ownership or control. Councillor Paul Tully said the time had come for Australia to unite and ban the cruel use of circus animals. "These animals are put in tiny cages for their whole lives and carted from one end of Australia to the other for their public performances," he said. "This is the beginning of the end of animal circuses in Australia." The Brisbane council's Labor opposition has said it too would support such a ban.
British Columbia 3/17/09: The tragic death two years ago of a woman killed by a caged tiger as children looked on helped spur the British Columbia government to implement new rules to ban dangerous pets says Environment Minister Barry Penner. 1,256 species that pose a serious threat to public safety, including leopards, lions, tigers, boa constrictors, pythons, monkeys, chimps and caimans have been banned. "We are determined to do something to improve public safety while also protecting these species from improperly being brought into British Columbia. The only effective way to prevent this abuse and neglect is through the introduction of regulations," said Penner. Read quote by Rob Laidlaw, Director of Zoocheck Canada Inc.
Bahrain 4/11/09: Authorities in Bahrain have stepped up security on the borders after inspectors found exotic wild animals caged in residential areas as pets. "Traders and buyers should understand that Bahrain is not the right environment for such species. It is illegal to keep them in these conditions and some wild animals, like tigers and crocodiles, endanger lives," said Salman Abdulnabi, head of the Animal Wealth Directorate.
South Africa 6/15/09: "Canned" lion hunting - the commercial shooting of captive-bred lions
for trophies - appears to have been finally canned itself by a
Bloemfontein High Court decision that requires all captive cats to live free for two years before they can be slaughtered. Now questions are being raised
as to what will happen to the 4,000 captive-bred lions in South Africa. The head of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Yolan Friedman, has applauded
the decision which she said would effectively put an end to canned lion
hunting in South Africa. "We believe that the principles of ethical, humane treatment of all
species should never be compromised for the economic enrichment of a
few, as has been the case with canned lion hunting in South Africa," she
said. Friedman urged the government to begin a process immediately to avert "a
welfare crisis" in which the country's existing 4 000 captive-bred lions
could "fall prey to neglect and cruel treatment" now that they had lost
their economic value. "To these animals, whose lives so far have been nothing more than a
caged existence to provide a trophy to an unethical hunter, their future
remains uncertain," she said.
Thorold, Ontario 12/8/09 passed exotic pet law banning ownership of primates (including apes), tigers, leopards, panthers, cougars, most reptiles, dangerous snakes, elephants, marine mammals, venomous snakes and some other wildlife not native to Canada. The law was passed after Jaguars were found to be kept as pets there.
2008 Big Cat Bans Enacted
CITES Decision 14.69:
Parties with intensive operations breeding tigers on a commercial scale shall
implement measures to restrict the captive population to a level supportive only
to conserving wild tigers; tigers should not be bred for trade in their parts and
derivatives. (Most of the tiger breeding in the U.S. is for photo booths and petting sessions. None of the breeding of generic tigers does anything to conserve wild tigers. Ask your lawmakers to uphold this CITES decision and end the breeding of tigers outside of the Species Survival Plans in AZA accredited zoos.)
Brazil: 12/11/08 After ongoing efforts by many animal organizations an animal group in Brazil has successfully lobbied and a law has been passed banning all animals in circuses there.
Iberville, LA: Referring back to a law that has been on Iberville Parish's books since 1993, the LA Wildlife and Fisheries Dept. finally banned the notorious Tiger Truck Stop from using live tigers as a public display. This ends a sad history of 21 years of tigers in small concrete cages in the middle of this busy truck stop.
Johor, Malaysia Bans ALL Commercial Hunting: The Johor government banned all forms of commercial hunting. Johor is home to the Endau-Rompin National Park, the second largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia. The state will lose some money in licensing fees -- in 2006, it issued more than 2,000 hunting licences -- but that pales into insignificance when compared with the benefits of such a move. Johor wants to save the tiger. The ban would also help the Department of Wildlife and National Parks to collect data, train staff and curb wildlife crime. Classified as an endangered species, the tiger is fully protected. But its food is not. The ban should ensure that the population of animals that the tiger preys on -- such as wild boar and deer -- will increase. If the tigers have sufficient food, they are also unlikely to wander into areas with human habitation.
Australia: August 3, 2008 Environment Minister Peter Garrett immediately banned the import of Savannah cats into Australia upon learning they were a cross between a Serval and domestic cat. He said the Savannah cat posed "an extreme threat to Australia's native wildlife".
MO: Effective March 2008 MO Wildlife Code changed as follows:
Safety:
Because of the inherent danger and potential liability associated with the possession of bears, mountain lions, wolves and their hybrids, the Conservation Commission now requires owners of these animals to identify each individual with a microchip embedded under the animal's skin. The owners must also submit a blood or tissue sample for DNA analysis. All animals must be registered with the Department when acquired, born, at death, or when sold. This will aid enforcement of illegal sales of these animals and will help Department biologists distinguish escaped and released captives from wild animals. MO Conservationist magazine Feb issue at magazine@mdc.mo.gov where Wildlife Code book for 2008 has been released.
Now help get SB 1032 passed at CatLaws.com.
Sheriff Kevin T. Harrison asks county to ban private possession of dangerous exotics HERE
December 11, 2008 Park Hills, MO bans most exotic animals, except small monkeys, within the city limits.
OK: 5/7/08 Gov. Henry signed Senate Bill 1463 into law last week. Sen. James A. Williamson (R-Tulsa) introduced the legislation which prohibits the use of computer-assisted remote control hunting of wildlife. The bill also makes it illegal to engage in, sell, offer for sale, assist in or provide facilities for computer-assisted remote control hunting. Thirty-eight states prohibit Internet hunting, and a federal bill introduced in the U.S. Congress – S. 2422 and H.R. 2711, the Computer- Assisted Remote Hunting Act – would end Internet hunting nationwide.
UT: Internet Hunting Banned. Gov. Huntsman signed Senate Bill 164 into law. Sen. Michael Waddoups (R-6th) introduced the legislation which prohibits the use of a computer or other device to remotely hunt an animal.37 states now prohibit Internet hunting, and a federal bill introduced in the U.S. Congress – S. 2422 and H.R. 2711, the Computer- Assisted Remote Hunting Act – would end Internet hunting nationwide.
USDA roared out in support of Haley's Act HR 1947 but Congress never took the time to hear the bill in 2008. http://www.bigcatrescue.org/laws/zPDFlaws/USDAcommentHR1947.pdf
Thanks to all of you who wrote letters, attended town hall meetings and met with your lawmakers, the world is a little kinder place. Many of the worst breeders, dealers and tiger-tamer-wanabees were finally shut down. Most of these collectors were fined or shut down by USDA or the state, or both in some cases:
CA: Hesperia Zoo AKA Cinema Safari Zoo owned by Stephanie Taunton was put on probation and fined $30,000 by USDA.
FL: Horseshoe Creek owned by Darryl Atkinson was shut down by USDA and FL.
FL: Wild Things' land owned by Kathy Stearns went into foreclosure and bankruptcy.
FL: Amazing Exotics appears to have been shut down. It was notorious for allowing contact between large exotic cats and the public for a fee. The head of their tiger-tamer-wanabee program was Ron Holiday (real name Ron Guay) who gained fame in the HBO movie Cat Dancers and the book by the same name. His career in dancing with big cats ended when a white tiger he had raised from a cub killed his wife and his lover within a few days of each other in 1998.
IN: Great Cats of Indiana, formerly known as Cougar Valley Farms, Inc., owned by Robert B. Craig and Laura Proper came under investigation by USDA
IN: Ervin's Jungle Wonders owned by Ervin Hall was shut down by USDA for a three year term.
MO: Wesa-A-Geh-Ya owned by Sandra Smith was shut down after a visitor lost his leg to a tiger.
MS: Cougar Haven closed its doors for good, sending the last 3 big cats to Big Cat Rescue.
NC: Metrolino Wildlife Park owned by Steven Macaluso was shut down by USDA.
NE: Zoo Nebraska was ordered to find appropriate homes for their big cats and bears.
OH: Pearson's L & L Exotics owned by Lorenzo Pearson was shut down by USDA following six years of violations.
TX: Zoo Dynamics, owned by Marcus Cook was fined $100,000.00
Australia: Craig Bush, the "Lion Man" was ousted from the Zion Wildlife Gardens by his mom.
You can read the USDA reports and news stories at http://www.911AnimalAbuse.com
2007 Big Cat Bans Enacted
2007 Private Possession of Dangerous Exotics Banned
FL: 6/29/07 Governor Crist, the people's governor, signed into law SB2766 a bill to regulate the possession of reptiles, but more importantly, included the requirement for a $10,000 bond to be posted by anyone exhibiting a Class I animal, which currently includes, lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars and by 2008 is expected to include cougars. On 12/6/07 the FWC drafted rules to implement the new law. More HERE
8/10/07 The Captive Wild Animal Technical Assistance Group made their recommendations to the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission staff and you can read that HERE On 12/6/07 the FWC announced that by mid 2008 they will address such issues as: Neighbor notification in the event of an escape, neighbor notification before bringing dangerous wild animals into an area to live, re classifying the cougar from a pet to a Class I animal, public contact, defining sanctuaries, defining what constitutes a commercial use to crack down on Class I animals that are owned as pets under the guise of being a business, ending Internet hunting and transportation of dangerous animals.
IA: 5/17/07 Iowa bans Internet Hunting and on 5/27/07 Iowa made it illegal for a person to privately own or possess a dangerous wild animal and it is now illegal to breed or transport them into Iowa. Exotic pet owners won't have to give up their pets because the bill doesn't apply to animals currently owned by Iowans. However, the bill requires owners to register their dangerous wild animal. The animals must be listed with the state an electronic identification device must be attached or embedded into the animal.
IL: 5/25/07 The Illinois governor signed into law a bill banning the practice of killing live animals over the Internet.
KY, Eddyville: 2/16/07 Eddyville City Council adopted an exotic animal ordinance at a special meeting Monday night. The ordinance outlaws owning any exotic animal in the city. Prohibited animals include snakes, big cats such as lions, tigers or leopards, elephants, venomous rear-fanged species, alligators and gorillas as well as several other specifically named animals. The ordinance does not apply to any zoological garden accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, licensed theatrical exhibits, carnivals or circuses or any authorized wildlife rehabilitator or licensed veterinary hospital. Violators will be subject to a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000, plus legal costs and attorney fees incurred by the city. The purpose of the ordinance is “to promote the public health, safety and general welfare” of city residents.
LA: 7/11/07 The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enacted regulations that prohibit private possession of lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cheetahs, cougars and their hybrids as pets. People who legally had these animals as of August 15, 2006, when a state law requiring regulation of the animals took effect, can keep them but not breed or replace them. They must apply for permits and meet standards for cages, insurance, and microchips. The animals must be kept in safe and sanitary conditions. They cannot be taken from the premises except to receive medical care.
NY: 6/13/07 Assembly Bill 2612 and Senate Bill 784 passed by 2 to 1 margin to prohibit the taking of non-native big game mammals in fenced or other areas from which there is no means for such mammals to escape. This landmark legislation ends the unethical shooting of exotic animals held captive in fenced enclosures, otherwise known as "canned shoots" in New York.
SC, Chester County 3/19/07 passed an exotic animal ban. Because SC has no state wide ban in place, many counties have passed their own ordinances either banning or strictly regulating exotic animal ownership. York County has an ordinance banning exotic animals. Lancaster County has banned them as well, as has Fairfield County. Lexington County outside Columbia has a ban, as does the town of Mount Pleasant. Beaufort County has a ban as well. Lexington County's ordinance is just one page. It lists several types of "exotic animals" from lions and tigers and other big cats, to reptiles, bears, elephants and gorillas. Lancaster County's ordinance bans exotic animals, saying "no person, firm or corporation shall keep or permit to be kept on their premises any exotic animal as a pet for display or for exhibition purposes." More...
TX, Kaufman County: 3/22/07 Owners of lions and tigers and bears can forget about moving to Kaufman County. County commissioners voted 3-1 Monday to allow the five known owners of exotic animals in the county to continue keeping the animals but banned any others. Commissioner Jim Deller cast the lone "no" vote. He wanted a complete ban. "I don't want to see those kinds of animals in the county if we can prevent it," Mr. Deller said. "All the counties around us have banned them, except for zoos." A "dangerous wild animal" law that the Legislature passed in 2001 gave counties the choice of banning the animals or registering them. The vast majority of counties banned the listed animals, including exotic cats, bears, coyotes, baboons, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans. The five entities granted the ability to continue their operations included Castle's Bears, owned and operated by James Hall; Terranova Enterprises, owned and operated by Doug Terranova; PrideRock Wildlife Refuge; Zoo Dynamics, operated by Marcus Cook; and Corey and Beth Junell. With the vote, commissioners effectively joined surrounding counties such as Ellis, Dallas, Collin and Van Zandt in banning such animals. Zoo Dynamics, in a separate decision by the State's Attorney's office, was forced to give up his non profit status and fined 10,000, with a subsequent fine of 100,000 if found guilty of illegally soliciting donations again.
TX, Lake Jackson: 2/7/07 voted to deny a proposed exhibit by Wynnewood, Okla.-based G.W. Exotic Animal Memorial Park at Brazos Mall. A PeTA investigation conducted last year at GW documented dead, dying, and injured animals; a serious lack of basic necessities such as food, water, and veterinary care; cramped cages; and untrained, insufficient staff who were intentionally cruel to animals. PETA's investigator witnessed a suffering lion whose leg had been torn off by tigers and tigers who were hit with a rifle butt. Two healthy adult tigers were killed, and their teeth were reportedly cut out to be given away as gifts. In January 2006, GW was placed on an 18-month probation and paid a $25,000 fine to settle U.S. Department of Agriculture charges that included dangerous animal-handling practices, filthy transport conditions, and failure to provide drinking water.
UT, American Fork: Banned the keeping of exotic animals, such as lions, tigers, bears, porcupines and pythons, which are not allowed in the city except in circuses, laboratory experiments, zoos and a few other facilities. The city chose to do this BEFORE it became a problem.
WA: In April 2007 HB 1418 was passed and will be enforced as of July 2007 that bans the possession, breeding and contact with all big cats including cougars and cheetahs. AZA zoos and sanctuaries that fit their description are exempt. More HERE
WI, Mayville: 2/13/07 Mayville, WI passed an ordinance prohibiting residents from keeping wild and exotic animals. The Common Council voted 5 to 1 to approve the wild and exotic animal ordinance after adding two amendments regarding exceptions. They are municipal zoos or those accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; and traveling or fair exhibitions and petting zoos licensed under the federal Animal Welfare Act and by the USDA.
USDA Actions: On April 6, 2007 the USDA finally, permanently revoked the license of Lorenzo Pearson of L & L Exotics. More HERE. USDA adopted a policy stating the baby big cats under the age of 8 weeks and (by some inspector's interpretations) over the age of 16 weeks could not be handled by the public. They also define a big cat as lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cougars, cheetahs, and any hybrids thereof. Because many places will make you a volunteer for the day to circumvent the rule that prohibits contact with big cats by the public, USDA has defined what is and is not considered a member of the public. Public feeding of big cats has been barred as well, with the exception of a process by which food is sent down a chute, past an external barricade. More HERE.
USDI Actions: The USDI finally rendered their final rules
to enforce the Captive Wild Animal Safety Act which became law in 2003 but
has been unenforceable for the past 4 years due to the government's failure
to draft these rules. Read the Captive Wild Animal Safety Rules here.
CITES met in June 2007 and upheld a ban on the trade in
bobcat fur and all 171 countries railed against China's proposal to farm
tigers for their parts because the legal trade would be the death blow to
the wild populations since it is much cheaper to poach a tiger than farm
one. Sign our petition to save the tiger HERE.
VANCOUVER, B.C. 2/3/07:Vancouver City Council
has unanimously passed a motion banning people from keeping certain exotic
and wild animals as pets and banning businesses from selling them. They've
also requested Mayor Sam Sullivan write a letter to the Union of BC Municipalities
to consider a Province-wide ban.
Banned animals include such creatures as bears, large constrictor snakes, hyenas
and alligators. Businesses will be prohibited from selling everything from elephants
and birds of prey to venomous insects.
Council has also approved banning the use of exotic and wild animals in performances
and shows. Read
it here...
Ontario Canada: 2/14/07 Huntville council upheld a
ban on dangerous exotic animals.
The Jewish Community 2/28/07 speaks out against wearing fur. "Jews must not wear fur skinned from live animals," Israel's chief rabbi said in a religious ruling on Tuesday. "All Jews are obliged to prevent the horrible phenomenon of cruelty to animals and be a 'light onto nations' by refusing to use products that originate from acts which cause such suffering," Rabbi Yona Metzger said.
Europe: On 10th October 2007, 25 Non-Governmental Organisations representing 20 European countries, together with Members of the European Parliament and officials from the European Commission, attended a Reception at the European Parliament in support of animal welfare. The event saw the launch of an initiative to seek greater protection for wild animals kept in captivity in Europe at both a national and, where appropriate, pan-European level through enhancing the animals welfare provisions in the EC Treaty.
UK: November 21, 2007 an amendment to the Conservation Natural Habitats
Regulations declared it is illegal to possess certain exotic animals, including the Wild Cat without a permit from Natural England, an agency that is not inclined to grant
licences to private individual animal keepers and who's
stringent licensing criteria are unlikely be met by most keepers.
2007 Circus Bans
Circus Bans: Bans on circus that use wild animals have been enacted in a number of North American cities, (28 as of June of 2007) including Stamford, CT; Boulder, CO and Burlington, VT. Bans are pending in the state of CT and in Minneapolis, MN. Prince George, B.C. 4/30/07 bans performances using exotic animals and joins 20 other B.C. communities with similar bans. Austria and 100+ cities in England alone already ban the use of wild animals in circus acts.
Croatia: 1/1/07 The new Croatian Animal Protection Act prohibits the use of wild animals in entertainment, such as circuses or other animal shows. Croatian authorities announced plans to ban holding of dolphin species in captivity, bringing Croatia closer to a complete legal ban on dolphin capture.
Taiwan Bans Circus Animal Imports: 6/15/07 Importation and Exportation of protected animals including lions and tigers for circus acts is prohibited with fines up to $50.000. "The performances are negative education on environmental conservation. Personal pleasure must not be built on the suffering of other animals," officials said.
Circus elephants get their day in court to establish what constitutes mistreatment of animals. See ASPCA & API vs Ringling. As of December 2008 this case still has not been heard.
2007 Hunting Bans
AK: Governor Sarah Palin signed House Bill 220 into law this week. Representative Bob Buch (D-27th) introduced the legislation which prohibits any person from engaging in or operating computer-assisted remote hunting in the state.
MA: Senate Bill 2273 (formerly S.B. 860 and S.D. 1452), introduced by Senator Robert Creedon, Jr. (D-2nd), makes it illegal to participate in or facilitate the killing of an animal via the Internet. Governor Deval Patrick signed the bill into law 8/3/07.
NE: Legislative Bill 504, introduced by Senator Mick Mines (District 18), makes it a Class II misdemeanor to hunt through the Internet.
OR: Oregon passed a law based on Senate Bill 490 to ban the killing of live animals over the Internet. 34 states, including Texas, now ban the practice. Florida still allows this inhumane practice of shooting a live animal over the Internet. Oregon also passed Senate bill 572 to ban all canned hunts. The vote was 22 to 5. Fencing exotic mammals, feeding them by hand, and then shooting them, said Democratic co-sponsor Sen. Ryan Deckert, "is not Oregon." California, Wyoming and Wisconsin already prohibit canned hunts. A Federal bill, HR 2711, to ban Internet killing was introduced in June of 2007.
2007 Other Good News for Big Cats
President Bush reauthorized the 1994 Conservation Act to protect African Elephants, Rhinos and Tigers.
2005-2007 Big Cat Bans Enacted
Just since 2005, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland & Washington have passed legislation banning the ownership of certain dangerous animals such as lions, tigers, bears, wolves and primates, leaving only 11 states with virtually no regulations whatsoever.
In 2006 60 state bills were passed to protect animals of all types and 11 bills that would have harmed animals were defeated.
Between 2001 and 2006 the number of hunters in the U.S. decreased by 4%. Now only 5% (12.5 million people over the age of 16) are hunters. During the same time, the number of wildlife watchers, feeders and enthusiasts rose 8%.
View existing State Laws HERE
Help change the laws HERE
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Click HERE to see more legislative wins for big cats.
New Exotic Pet Ban
by Jennifer Wilson - Wednesday, February 7, 2007
FAMILY MEMBER: Kristi Stanton poses with a picture of her ball python, Saphire, Monday evening after making an unsuccessful request to council for an exemption to its new exotic pets bylaw.
Huntsville council turned down two applications for exemptions to its new exotic pets bylaw Monday night.
Kristi Stanton and Chris Chapman made deputations to council requesting a bylaw exemption for their ball python and two cougars respectively.
Since the bylaw took effect in November, both Stanton’s snake and Chapman’s cougars have been living outside of the municipality.
“Obviously, it is a regulation that hasn’t been in place very long and I, on a personal basis, understand your attachment to your animals and the difficulty that this particular bylaw poses to you. Council has to balance that against the greater risk [these animals pose to the general public],” said Huntsville mayor Claude Doughty.
Chapman, who had been looking after the two cougars since they were babies, told council that domestic dogs are “more dangerous on average” than cougars.
“Very seldom do captive cats do any harm to anybody. We have everything in place to secure homes for them. We are just asking for the OK from council,” said Chapman, who noted the close bond that had formed between himself and the cats. “To me, they are friendly cuddly kitties, but I know a lot of people don’t share that [view].”
Prior to the bylaw passing, Chapman told council he had contacted Town officials, who told him that a grandfather clause, which would allow him to keep his cougars, might apply when the legislation passed.
However, according to Sara Brown, the Town’s director of physical services, the Town can opt to grant a grandfather exemption but is not required to do so.
Stanton, whose ball python Saphire currently resides with a friend, told council that she thought not enough background information was gathered for the bylaw’s creation.
“I almost feel like not enough research was done on the sub-species of boas and pythons,” Stanton told council.
“I am confused how you can still own a corn snake or a rat snake which can
grow significantly bigger than a ball python and it eats exactly the same things.”
Despite this, Town staff and councillors continued to question the safety risks exotic animals kept as pets posed to the public at large.
“The rationale behind any kind of bylaw like this is not to protect someone like yourself, who may be a responsible kind of individual with this kind of animal, but more to protect somebody who may not be responsible,” said councillor Brian Thompson.
Councillor Bill Beatty told council he felt that although owners may be comfortable housing their exotic pets, the animals could pose a great risk to safety officials in the case of a fire.
“One of the other issues I brought up and I got a nod and a wink, so to speak, from the fire chief was the concern if in fact there was a fire in that building or some incident where you had firefighters crawling around in the dark, the last thing you want to do with a snake or anything is have it bite you on the head as you knock the cage over.”
Washington Senate passes House bill to ban private possession of dangerous exotic animals
April 4, 2007
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The Animal Protection Institute (API) and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) commend the Washington state Senate for passing HB 1418, the "Dangerous Wild Animal Bill," after seven years of debate. The two groups are co-sponsors of HB 1418, which prohibits the private possession of dangerous exotic animals such as cougars, tigers, bears, monkeys, and dangerous reptiles.
"Washington is one of only 11 states with no laws regulating the private ownership of dangerous wild animals," says Nicole Paquette, Director of Legal & Government Affairs for API. "Passage of this bill will put Washington state at the forefront of nationwide progressive animal legislation by boasting one of the best state laws in the country."
"Today's action by Washington lawmakers will protect public safety and the welfare of the animals," says Jennifer Hillman, Washington State Government Affairs Coordinator for The HSUS. "Over the past seven years, incidents in Washington have ranged from attacks on people to abandonment of animals when owners can no longer care for them. Wild animals belong in the wild, not in basements or makeshift cages in people's backyards."
A recent investigation conducted by API examined both private owners and federally licensed facilities in Washington state and documented stories of serious, unreported attacks by animals; people, including children, being allowed direct contact with dangerous animals at USDA-licensed facilities, a violation of federal law; poor animal care conditions; and inadequate and unsafe barriers.
"We applaud the Washington state Senate for taking a strong stand on this issue and hope to see the state serve as a role model of progressive legislation other states will follow," adds Paquette.
Note: DVD b-roll and still images of exotic animals in Washington State available for download; email press@api4animals.org
http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/
washington_exotic_pet_bill.html
CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT
HOUSE BILL 1418
Chapter 238, Laws of 2007
60th Legislature
2007 Regular Session
DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/22/07
Passed by the House April 16, 2007
Yeas 61 Nays 31
FRANK CHOPP
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Passed by the Senate April 3, 2007
Yeas 34 Nays 15
BRAD OWEN
President of the Senate
CERTIFICATE
I, Richard Nafziger, Chief Clerk
of the House of Representatives of
the State of Washington, do hereby
certify that the attached is HOUSE
BILL 1418 as passed by the House
of Representatives and the Senate
on the dates hereon set forth.
RICHARD NAFZIGER
Chief Clerk
Approved April 30, 2007, 2:12 p.m.
CHRISTINE GREGOIRE
Governor of the State of Washington
FILED
April 30, 2007
Secretary of State
State of Washington
HOUSE BILL 1418
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
Passed Legislature - 2007 Regular Session
State of Washington 60th Legislature 2007 Regular Session
By Representatives Lovick, Campbell, Lantz, O'Brien, Upthegrove and
Williams
Read first time 01/18/2007. Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
1 AN ACT Relating to the keeping of dangerous wild animals; adding a
2 new chapter to Title 16 RCW; and prescribing penalties.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
4 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is the intent of the state of Washington
5 to protect the public against the serious health and safety risks that
6 dangerous wild animals pose to the community.
7 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) "Animal control authority" means an
8 entity acting alone or in concert with other local governmental units
9 for enforcement of the animal control laws of the city, county, and
10 state and the shelter and welfare of animals.
11 (2) "Potentially dangerous wild animal" means one of the following
12 types of animals, whether bred in the wild or in captivity, and any or
13 all hybrids thereof:
14 (a) Class mammalia
15 (i) Order carnivora
16 (A) Family felidae, only lions, tigers, captive-bred cougars,
17 jaguars, cheetahs, leopards, snow leopards, and clouded leopards;
18 (B) Family canidae, wolves, excluding wolf-hybrids;
p. 1 HB 1418.SL
1 (C) Family ursidae, all bears;
2 (D) Family hyaenidae, such as hyenas;
3 (ii) Order perissodactyla, only rhinoceroses;
4 (iii) Order primates, all nonhuman primate species;
5 (iv) Order proboscidae, all elephants species;
6 (b) Class reptilia
7 (i) Order squamata
8 (A) Family atractaspidae, all species;
9 (B) Family colubridae, only dispholidus typus;
10 (C) Family elapidae, all species, such as cobras, mambas, kraits,
11 coral snakes, and Australian tiger snakes;
12 (D) Family hydrophiidae, all species, such as sea snakes;
13 (E) Family varanidae, only water monitors and crocodile monitors;
14 (F) Family viperidae, all species, such as rattlesnakes,
15 cottonmouths, bushmasters, puff adders, and gaboon vipers;
16 (ii) Order crocodilia, all species, such as crocodiles, alligators,
17 caimans, and gavials.
18 (3) "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation,
19 organization, trade or professional association, firm, limited
20 liability company, joint venture, association, trust, estate, or any
21 other legal entity, and any officer, member, shareholder, director,
22 employee, agent, or representative thereof.
23 (4) "Possessor" means any person who owns, possesses, keeps,
24 harbors, brings into the state, or has custody or control of a
25 potentially dangerous wild animal.
26 (5) "Wildlife sanctuary" means a nonprofit organization, as
27 described in RCW 84.36.800, that cares for animals defined as
28 potentially dangerous and:
29 (a) No activity that is not inherent to the animal's nature,
30 natural conduct, or the animal in its natural habitat is conducted;
31 (b) No commercial activity involving an animal occurs including,
32 but not limited to, the sale of or trade in animals, animal parts,
33 animal byproducts, or animal offspring, or the sale of photographic
34 opportunities involving an animal, or the use of an animal for any type
35 of entertainment purpose;
36 (c) No unescorted public visitations or direct contact between the
37 public and an animal; or
38 (d) No breeding of animals occurs in the facility.
HB 1418.SL p. 2
1 NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The provisions of this chapter do not
2 apply to:
3 (a) Institutions authorized by the Washington department of fish
4 and wildlife to hold, possess, and propagate deleterious exotic
5 wildlife pursuant to RCW 77.12.047;
6 (b) Institutions accredited or certified by the American zoo and
7 aquarium association or a facility with a current signed memorandum of
8 participation with an association of zoos and aquariums species
9 survival plan;
10 (c) Duly incorporated nonprofit animal protection organizations,
11 such as humane societies and shelters, housing an animal at the written
12 request of the animal control authority or acting under the authority
13 of this chapter;
14 (d) Animal control authority, law enforcement officers, or county
15 sheriffs acting under the authority of this chapter;
16 (e) Veterinary hospitals or clinics;
17 (f) A holder of a valid wildlife rehabilitation permit issued by
18 the Washington department of fish and wildlife;
19 (g) Any wildlife sanctuary as defined under section 2(5) of this
20 act;
21 (h) A research facility as defined by the animal welfare act, 7
22 U.S.C.A. 2131, as amended, for the species of animals for which they
23 are registered. This includes but is not limited to universities,
24 colleges, and laboratories holding a valid class R license under the
25 animal welfare act;
26 (i) Circuses, defined as incorporated, class C licensees under the
27 animal welfare act, 7 U.S.C.A. 2131, as amended, that are temporarily
28 in this state, and that offer performances by live animals, clowns, and
29 acrobats for public entertainment;
30 (j) A person temporarily transporting and displaying a potentially
31 dangerous wild animal through the state if the transit time is not more
32 than twenty-one days and the animal is at all times maintained within
33 a confinement sufficient to prevent the animal from escaping;
34 (k) Domesticated animals subject to this title or native wildlife
35 subject to Title 77 RCW;
36 (l) A person displaying animals at a fair approved by the
37 Washington department of agriculture pursuant to chapter 15.76 or 36.37
38 RCW; and
p. 3 HB 1418.SL
1 (m) A game farm meeting the requirements of WAC 232-12-027(1).
2 (2) This chapter does not require a city or county that does not
3 have an animal control authority to create that office.
4 NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) A person shall not own, possess, keep,
5 harbor, bring into the state, or have custody or control of a
6 potentially dangerous wild animal, except as provided in subsection (3)
7 of this section.
8 (2) A person shall not breed a potentially dangerous wild animal.
9 (3) A person in legal possession of a potentially dangerous wild
10 animal prior to the effective date of this act and who is the legal
11 possessor of the animal may keep possession of the animal for the
12 remainder of the animal's life. The person must maintain veterinary
13 records, acquisition papers for the animal, if available, or other
14 documents or records that establish that the person possessed the
15 animal prior to the effective date of this act, and present the
16 paperwork to an animal control or law enforcement authority upon
17 request. The person shall have the burden of proving that he or she
18 possessed the animal prior to the effective date of this act.
19 NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The animal control authority or a law
20 enforcement officer may immediately confiscate a potentially dangerous
21 wild animal if:
22 (a) The animal control authority or law enforcement officer has
23 probable cause to believe that the animal was acquired after the
24 effective date of this act in violation of section 4 of this act;
25 (b) The animal poses a public safety or health risk;
26 (c) The animal is in poor health and condition as a result of the
27 possessor; or
28 (d) The animal is being held in contravention of the act.
29 (2) A potentially dangerous wild animal that is confiscated under
30 this section may be returned to the possessor only if the animal
31 control authority or law enforcement officer establishes that the
32 possessor had possession of the animal prior to the effective date of
33 this act and the return does not pose a public safety or health risk.
34 (3) The animal control authority or law enforcement officer shall
35 serve notice upon the possessor in person or by regular and certified
36 mail, return receipt requested, notifying the possessor of the
HB 1418.SL p. 4
1 confiscation, that the possessor is responsible for payment of
2 reasonable costs for caring and providing for the animal during the
3 confiscation, and that the possessor must meet the requirements of
4 subsection (2) of this section in order for the animal to be returned
5 to the possessor.
6 (4) If a potentially dangerous wild animal confiscated under this
7 section is not returned to the possessor, the animal control authority
8 or law enforcement officer may release the animal to a facility such as
9 a wildlife sanctuary or a facility exempted pursuant to section 3 of
10 this act. If the animal control authority or law enforcement officer
11 is unable to relocate the animal within a reasonable period of time, it
12 may euthanize the animal.
13 (5) An animal control authority or law enforcement officer may
14 euthanize a potentially dangerous wild animal under this section only
15 if all known reasonable placement options, including relocation to a
16 wildlife sanctuary, are unavailable.
17 (6) This section applies to animal confiscations on or after the
18 effective date of this act.
19 NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A city or county may adopt an ordinance
20 governing potentially dangerous wild animals that is more restrictive
21 than this chapter. However, nothing in this chapter requires a city or
22 county to adopt an ordinance to be in compliance with this chapter.
23 NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A person who violates section 4 of this act
24 is liable for a civil penalty of not less than two hundred dollars and
25 not more than two thousand dollars for each animal with respect to
26 which there is a violation and for each day the violation continues.
27 NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. (1) The animal control authority and its
28 staff and agents, local law enforcement agents, and county sheriffs are
29 authorized and empowered to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
30 (2) If a locality does not have a local animal control authority,
31 the department of fish and wildlife shall enforce the provisions of
32 this chapter.
33 NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. If any provision of this act or its
p. 5 HB 1418.SL
1 application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
2 remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other
3 persons or circumstances is not affected.
4 NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Sections 1 through 9 of this act constitute
5 a new chapter in Title 16 RCW.
Passed by the House April 16, 2007.
Passed by the Senate April 3, 2007.
Approved by the Governor April 30, 2007.
Filed in Office of Secretary of State April 30, 2007.
Prince George, B.C. bans exotic animal performances in circuses and shows ( 20 B.C. municipalities are going this route although Vancouver is taking it one step further and prohibiting the ownership of exotic animals.)
Monday, April 30, 2007 10:21 PM
Prince George City Council has decided the days of the performing tigers and elephants are numbered.
It was June of last year that City Councilors asked staff to prepare a report on how the City could deal with a request from the BC SPCA that all circuses using exotic animals be banned from Prince George.
Well, the Jordan Circus has been booked for Prince George, and the Jordan Circus uses elephants and tigers. The report before Council says if the City bans such circuses, then $10 to $15 thousand dollars will be lost in booking revenue. The Jordan Circus has already signed a contract to appear in Prince George this July.
That contract would be honoured regardless of Council’s decision.
There were four options presented to Council:
Continue to allow them and let the BCSPCA carry out the inspections
to ensure the animals are allright ( that’s how Edmonton deals with
it)
Draft a bylaw prohibiting exotic animal performances in circuses and
shows ( 20 B.C. municipalities are going this route although Vancouver
is taking it one step further and prohibiting the ownership of exotic animals.)
By policy, refuse to rent civic facilities to such circuses, although nothing
would prevent a private land owner from providing a site
Have a resolution sent to North Central Municipal Association and the Union
of BC Municipalities calling for a Provincial ban on a standardized list
of exotic animal performances.
Council Don Zurowski moved that Council adopt option 2.
Bylaw Officer Ken Craig told Council his office has not received any complaints about cruelty or mistreatment of animals.
"It is progressive and its the right thing to do" says Councilor Brian Skakun. Councilor Deborah Munoz says the City shouldn’t allow any kind of show that caused any mistreatment of any animal exotic or not.
Councilor Murry Krause, says "Caging wild animals is archaic, and its time we show how progressive Prince George really is."
Councilor Sherry Sethen "There are things that cause animals some stress, and I would suggest that as we move forward we will be challenged by others in the community and I would hope we stand firm and not change our minds".
Councillor Glen Scott "We always have these groups come forward saying why this should take place, and its a backward step just regimenting another part of our lives." Scott was the only one to vote against the development of the bylaw.
Kathy Travers, an animal welfare activist, and one of the directors of the local branch of the BC SPCA had pushed for such a bylaw for years. When the vote was complete, a jubilant Travers wept with joy.
http://www.opinion250.com/blog/view/5679/3
/exotic++animals+and+circuses+on+their+way+out
Florida law goes into effect July 1, 2007
Thanks to all of you who wrote letters to your Florida legislators about the Python Bill it has passed both the Senate and the House unanimously and is scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2007.
While snakes are a little off topic for Big Cat Rescue, the reason this bill was so important is that it will also require people in Florida who exhibit Class I animals, for compensation or not, to either carry 2 million dollars in liability coverage or post a $10,000.00 bond with the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission. Class I animals include tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, bears and next year will hopefully include cougars. If people are going to be allowed to keep these dangerous animals, they should be held accountable for any damage they do through the owner’s negligence.
This bill will also enable the FWCC to move more quickly to shut down dangerous and abusive situations because it spells out what constitutes a violation and what the penalties are. It also provides a cushion of funds, provided by the exhibitor’s mandatory contribution to the bond, so that the FWCC can afford to step in and feed and relocate Class I animals that are in crisis.
Perhaps even more important is the fact that this will stop a lot of low-life-types from bringing their baby tiger photos booths to Florida and will dry up the market for baby big cats to be used in practices that are unsafe for the public and unkind to the cats.
Thanks again for writing letters to your legislators. It really made a difference! Now you can help us stop the exploitation of contact with big cats at a Federal level. Haley’s Act has been introduced in Congress and is picking up momentum with every letter you write. Visit www.CatLaws.com now to send your letter and save thousands more of these wonderful lions, tigers and other big cats from lives of exploitation, abuse and abandonment.
Taiwan bans circuses from importing protected animals
Jun 15, 11:04 AM ET
TAIPEI (AFP) - Taiwan's parliament has amended a law to ban circuses from importing or exporting protected animals in an effort to improve protection of animal rights, a legislator said Friday.
Under the revised Wildlife Conservation Law passed late Thursday, all imports and exports of animals such as lions, tigers, elephants and monkeys are prohibited unless they are needed for research, said Tien Chiu-chin, of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, who proposed the bill.
The new law categorises the banned animals in line with the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Previously circuses were permitted to import animals for performances. The new law does not apply to animals already owned by circuses.
"The performances are negative education on environmental conservation. Personal pleasure must not be built on the suffering of other animals," Tien said.
The amendment, which will become effective in two weeks, also imposes tougher punishment for animal abuse with a maximum one-year prison term for harassing, hurting or abandoning animals that results in their death or serious injury.
Under current legislation animal abusers face fines of between 10,000 and 50,000 Taiwan dollars (303-1,515 US).
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070615/lf_afp/ lifestyletaiwananimal;_ylt=AsUTnV5kJZeWc3yP_NTekisPLBIF
Click HERE to see more legislative wins for big cats.