Keep Big Cats Wild and Your Family Safe

by Fred O'Regan

Just two years ago, in August of 2005, 17-year-old Haley Hilderbrand went to a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) licensed facility to have her senior picture taken with two tiger cubs. Because the facility called itself a sanctuary and licensed by the USDA she assumed it was safe. It wasn't. Just prior to the shoot, a 550-pound Siberian tiger on a handheld leash was substituted for the cubs. Tragically, the tiger attacked and killed Haley before being shot multiple times and finally killed.

"Haley's Act," named to honor the tragedy of Haley's death, is Federal legislation designed to protect the public and improve the welfare of big cats exhibited at USDA licensed facilities. Unfortunately, attacks by captive big cats are not uncommon and the innocent public is usually the victim.

Since 2000, big cats such as lions and tigers have attacked close to 100 people in the US, killing almost a dozen. There is no way to know how many incidents go unreported. Many of these attacks occurred at facilities that are licensed and regulated by the USDA. However, a USDA license can be given to anything from an accredited zoo to a roadside attraction , fake sanctuary or back yard petting zoo.

Please contact your Federal representative today and urge him or her to cosponsor and strongly support Haley's Act. This bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Representative Nancy Boyda, will prohibit direct contact between big cats and the public at USDA facilities and significantly raise fines for violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

What Else Can Be Done?

The trend of keeping large, dangerous wild animals like lions and tigers in captivity is growing. These animals are often purchased as cute and cuddly novelty pets, only to quickly grow into an animal few people are prepared to care for. Most of the time the animals pay the price, forced to live out their lives alone in squalid, cramped enclosures.

The issue of big cats and other dangerous wild animals as pets is handled at the state level and there are several states that are now working on this, including North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin. If you live in any of these states or know someone who does, please contact your state legislators and urge them to support regulating and banning dangerous wild animals such as tigers and lions, as pets.

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com