Collins, Blumenthal Bill to Ban Private Ownership of Big Cats Signed into Law

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that the Big Cat Public Safety Act, a bipartisan bill she co-authored with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), was signed into law.  The Maine Sheriff’s Association endorsed this legislation, which prohibits the ownership of big cats like lions and tigers and outlaws public contact with cubs.

“Big cats like lions, tigers, and cheetahs belong in their natural habitats, not in the hands of private owners where they are too often subject to cruelty or improper care,” said Senator Collins.  “Our legislation will prohibit the private ownership of big cats, which threatens the safety of the animals and the public and harms conservation efforts.  I am pleased that our colleagues supported our bipartisan effort to improve the welfare of animals.”

Private ownership of big cats raises significant public safety, animal welfare, and conservation concerns. It is estimated that thousands of big cats – including lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and cougars – are privately owned and held captive in unsecured and unsafe conditions.  Cub-handling attractions and petting zoos cause irreparable harm to the cubs, which are often separated from their mothers at an extremely young age, and pose a danger to humans, who may be bitten or scratched.  There have been more than 700 incidents in the United States involving big cats, including hundreds of human injuries, maulings, and deaths.

The Netflix series “Tiger King” released in March 2020 greatly raised public awareness of the rampant animal welfare abuses and public safety issues involved in private ownership of big cats.  The Big Cat Public Safety Act prohibits the possession of big cats by unlicensed individuals.  This legislation also restricts direct contact between the public and big cats, including cubs.

The legislation was endorsed by numerous animal welfare, conservation, and law enforcement organizations.

A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). 

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