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ABC DC: Quigley on the Big Cat Public Safety Act

March 26, 2019
In the News

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ELIAS: You know, first responders run towards danger every day, but thousands of lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars are waiting to pounce if one of those responders happens to open the wrong door. And they're in those situations. But as 7 On Your Side's Scott Taylor reports, there's now a new bill in Congress that's aimed at better protecting police, firefighters, and EMTs.

TAYLOR: According to the Animal Welfare Institute, as many as 20,000 big cats are being kept as pets at private homes, or on display at roadside zoos. Most are not tracked by any state or federal agency. Tim Harrison, the director of Outreach for Animals and a first responder says: open the wrong door and a firefighter can be facing down a lion, tiger, or cougar.

HARRISON: We have a fire department that has to come in—just happened outside Lancaster, Ohio—a fire department…there's six cougar inside a woman's house. Nobody knew about it.

TAYLOR: A hearing today in Congress on the Big Cat Public Safety Act, or H.R. 1380, which supporters say would restrict private ownership of big cats, reduce breeding, and help minimize abuse. U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley introduced the bill.

QUIGLEY: When people realize that they can't take care of these cats, often the first people to react to this are first responders.

TAYLOR: Some believe small zoos would shut down if 1380, as written right now, becomes law.

MCCLINTOCK: The big businesses have been trying for years to put their smaller competitors out of business by forbidding them to possess the big cat species. The House has always wisely refused to become a, well no pun intended, a cat's paw in this tawdry endeavor.

TAYLOR: The Big Cat Public Safety Act was first introduced last month. This is the first time, though, it's been discussed in a hearing on Capitol Hill. First responders tell me they hope this isn't the last time anyone discusses their safety versus big cats. Scott Taylor. ABC 7 News.

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