Big Cat Public Safety Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker, for too long, big cats have been mistreated, exploited, and abused in private roadside zoos. Private possession of big cats is a tremendous risk to humans as well. On average, a 1-year-old tiger weighs about 200 pounds and can easily harm or kill a human.

These wild animals are trained to perform for paying customers, and at the end of the day, they are wild, dangerous animals that are a serious risk to humans and themselves.

Big cats, themselves, are also at risk, as there have been countless reports of abuse, mistreatment, and exploitation at private zoos.

Madam Speaker, opponents of our legislation argue that it unfairly targets small zoos, pitting the large against the small. To be clear, this legislation has nothing to do with the zoo size and does not ban any zoo from possessing, breeding, or exhibiting big cats. Our legislation prohibits zoos from allowing the public to interact with big cats.

It does not in any way impact the typical model of zoos in which they have an exhibit of big cats on display. As long as the zoo does not allow direct contact between people and the public and these big cats, they will not be affected by this legislation.

This practice also takes a toll on law enforcement agencies that are forced to respond to escapes and attacks when big cats have outgrown cub petting and are funneled into the hands of private citizens.

Madam Speaker, this bill is supported by both the National Sheriffs' Association and the Fraternal Order of Police.

I thank the Humane Society, Animal Wellness Action, and the Animal Welfare Institute for their incredible advocacy on this issue, and to my predecessor who worked on this bill, Congressman Jeff Denham from the State of California, for all of his work. And, of course, I thank my partner on this legislation, Congressman Mike Quigley.

As a member of the bipartisan Congressional Animal Caucus, we are committed to ensuring that our government is doing its part to promote animal welfare, and it is crucial that we stand up for animals, both as individuals and societies.

Madam Speaker, as was pointed out, there are 230 cosponsors on this bill that collectively represent over 165 million Americans who support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1380, the Big Cat Public Safety Act.

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