• About BCR
  • News
  • News @ BCR
  • Rescues
  • Issues
  • Cat Laws
Thursday, February 25, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

IFAW calls on Congress to pass Haley’s Act

BCR by BCR
February 15, 2013
in News World
0
0
SHARES
19
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

IFAW Applauds Congresswoman Boyda’S (D-Ks) Initiative To Prevent Further Tragedies From Direct Public Contact With Captive Big Cats

(Washington, DC – 24 July 2007) – Following a recent rash of attacks and maulings involving captive big cats such as lions and tigers, Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) has sponsored federal legislation to protect the public from further incidents. H.R. 1947, “Haley’s Act,” aims to protect the public from attacks by captive big cats at facilities licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The act is named in memory of Haley Hilderbrand, a 17-year-old high school student who was killed at a USDA-licensed facility by a 550-pound Siberian tiger while being photographed for her senior picture. A.J. Cady, IFAW’s (International Fund for Animal Welfare – www.ifaw.org) Program Director of Animals in Crisis and Distress, as well as Haley’s parents, Ronda and Mike Good, were on hand at a briefing before the House Committee on Agriculture to urge immediate Congressional action.

Haley’s Act would amend the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to prohibit direct contact between the general public and big cats, including lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars and hybrids. The bill does not discourage public display of big cats in accredited zoos, or housing big cats in sanctuaries, but rather seeks to strengthen safety for the public. It also significantly increases fines for violations of the AWA to further encourage facilities to abide by the law and treat the animals well.

You might also like

Cub Petting Shame

Rules

GoFree

“Allowing public contact with big cats is a public policy failure and a threat to public safety. Congress must establish strict guidelines to prevent further tragedies from occurring due to poor safety standards and minimal fines,” said Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (D-KS), whose legislation is cosponsored by 26 Representatives, including her three Kansas colleagues Reps. Dennis Moore (D-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Todd Tiahrt (R-KS).

It is estimated that there are currently more than 10,000 big cats held captive in the U.S. In recent years, captive big cats have killed more than a dozen people and injured more than 50 people. Many big cats are owned by individuals or organizations that have been licensed by the USDA to exhibit, breed, or sell these dangerous wild animals. However, the AWA does not allow for USDA to address risks to public safety, nor does it firmly prohibit direct contact between the public and big cats. Haley’s Act would correct this.

“The U.S. represents 4% of the global population, yet 78% of ALL captive cat incidents happen in the United States,” said IFAW’s Cady. “Lions and tigers are wild animals, not pets, and USDA-licensed facilities should treat these creatures accordingly. When the public is allowed to have direct contact with big cats it is simply a matter of time before a tragedy occurs.”

After Haley’s death, the Kansas state legislature banned the private ownership of big cats as pets and forbade public contact with big cats to help prevent future tragedies. However, the problem extends well beyond Kansas. In 2006 and 2007 alone there were big cat incidents, including escapes or attacks, in California, Florida, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas. These states have yet to enact a prohibition on direct contact with the public.

“We urge Congress to act now,” said Ronda and Mike Good, who were in Washington DC from Kansas, and have worked closely with legislators and IFAW to champion the legislation in Topeka and Washington. “If a law to prevent direct contact between big cats and the public were in place already, Haley might still be with us today.”

For media-related inquiries, contact:
Shawna Seldon (The Rosen Group)
Tel: 212.255.8455 ext. 212
Email: Shawna@rosengrouppr.com

http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=219353


Tags: News World
Previous Post

Swiss zoo kills endangered lion cubs

Next Post

Exotic animals are a problem in Ohio

BCR

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

Cub Petting Shame
Cat Laws

Cub Petting Shame

January 17, 2021
1.3k
Be Safe Out There!
How To Start A Sanctuary

Rules

March 31, 2020
98
Big Cat Rescue does bobcat rehab and release of native, Florida bobcats.
Articles by BCR

GoFree

March 29, 2020
384
Nik Tiger being Xrayed
How To Start A Sanctuary

What is a day like at Big Cat Rescue?

June 30, 2020
52
Cougars at Big Cat Rescue
Memorials

Artemis

January 28, 2020
195
Next Post

Exotic animals are a problem in Ohio

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Take Action Against Abuse

Shop To Save Big Cats

More From BigCatRescue

  • Big Cat Rescue is Live 24/7 on Webcams
  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Big Cat Information

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Ways to Help

  • Newsletter SignUp
  • Donate Now
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • View AMP Versioin
No Result
View All Result
  • 2018 Appeal
  • About BCR
  • About our Cookies
  • BCR in the Media
  • Big Cat Rescue Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade
  • Big Cat Times
  • Blog
  • Board of Directors
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Credentials
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Embed Link
  • GET THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT CUB PETTING
  • Global Big Cat News
  • Intern Program
  • Kids
  • Latest from Big Cat Rescue
  • Licensing
  • Map
  • Map of Big Cat Owners
  • Netflix
  • News about Big Cats
  • News Gallery
  • News@BCR
  • Our Video Series
  • PressRoom
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rescues
  • Search result
  • Series Archive – Default header
  • Shop
  • SnowLeopard
  • Social Stream
  • Staff
  • Teachers
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Terms of Use
  • Test Gravity
  • USFWS
  • Vets
  • Videos archive
  • Get Involved
    • Automatic
    • Sponsorships
    • Volunteer
      • AdvoCats
      • Click to Feed
      • Intern
    • Legacy
    • Roar! Speak Out for Big Cats
    • Ink
  • Finances
  • How We Started
  • Abuse Issues
    • Issues
      • Exhibitions
      • Private Ownership of Big Cats
      • Zoos
      • White Tigers
      • Circus
      • Fur
      • Trophy Hunting
      • Canned Hunting
      • Why Regulations Don’t Work
  • Our Evolution
  • Photos & Facts
  • Videos
  • Our Volunteers
  • Your Privacy
  • Donate
  • Site Map
  • Field Trips

© Copyright 2021 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

SAVE & ACCEPT

Add New Playlist