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| Advocacy > Federal > Legislative activities > AVMA legislative agenda > Issue brief |
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| Issue brief |
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| H.R. 1947 Haley's Act |
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| Summary: |
| To promote public safety and improve the welfare of captive big cats. |
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| AVMA Position: |
| The AVMA supports passage of this legislation. |
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| Purpose |
This act would amend the Animal Welfare Act by:
- Prohibiting direct contact with big cats by the public unless the exhibitor is a zoo.
- Guiding the Secretary to take into account whether the exhibitor is accredited by, and in good standing with, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; and whether the exhibitor operates with sufficient regard for public safety when determining if the exhibitor is a zoo.
- Increasing maximum fines for violations from $2500 to $10,000.
- Defining "Big Cat" as any live species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, cougar, or any hybrid of such species, and
"Direct Contact" as any situation in which an individual may potentially touch or otherwise come into physical contact with any live specimen of a species. |
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| Why AVMA Supports this Issue: |
Support of this bill is consistent with the AVMA policy "Private Ownership of Wild Animals."
The AVMA recommends limiting or prohibiting private ownership (as defined below) of indigenous and non-native wild animals that pose a significant risk to public health, domestic animal health, or the ecosystem, as well as those species whose welfare is unacceptably compromised. Except under special circumstances (such as recognized conservation and research programs) , the AVMA especially supports regulatory efforts to prohibit private ownership, and the importation for the purpose of private ownership, of non-native animals that threaten public health, domestic animal health, indigenous wild animal health, agriculture, or the ecosystem, as well as those species whose welfare is unacceptably compromised.
Definitions:
Private ownership –Ownership by individuals, non-public entities or institutions that are exempt from the Animal Welfare Act.
Wild – Species that have not yet been subjected to domestication or that may be in the process of being domesticated. These species may be indigenous to North America or non-native (exotic).
Non-native (Exotic) –Originally imported species; not native to North America; not domesticated
Indigenous –Native to North America. |
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| Known Opposition to the AVMA Position: |
| none known |
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| Current Status: |
| H.R. 1947 was introduced on April 19, 2007 by Congresswoman Nancy E. Boyda (D-2nd /KS.) On May 4, 2007 it was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry and Executive Comment was Requested from USDA. |
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| For More Information: |
| Please contact Dr. Angela Demaree (ademaree@avma.org) at the AVMA-GRD at (800) 321-1473, ext. 3211, or visit www.avma.org/advocacy/federal/ |
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Go to the Government Action Center |
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American Veterinary Medical Association
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= AVMA/SAVMA Members Only
