The House made the right decision in overwhelmingly passing the Big Cat Public Safety Act, House Resolution 263. Law enforcement and animal welfare groups agree that it’s reckless to allow private citizens without the resources and know-how to keep endangered tigers and lions in their backyards and basements. It is a prescription for mayhem in our communities, and it always turns out badly for these unlucky animals.
Sheriff Matt Lutz of Zanesville, Ohio, testified about how his office was forced to kill dozens of exotic animals after their owner freed them from enclosures in 2011 after a madman released nearly 50 big cats and other animals into the community, forcing law enforcement to deploy and shoot nearly all of the animals as dusk fell.
The abuse starts right out of the gate.
While the passage of the bill in the House is a major step, now it’s the Senate’s turn to act. Although the Senate bill has almost 50 co-sponsors, Sen. Pat Toomey has not yet signed on in support. As a constituent, I sincerely hope Toomey joins Pennsylvania Reps. Brendan Boyle, Matt Cartwright, Madeleine Dean, Dwight Evans, Brian Fitzpatrick, Chrissy Houlahan, Conor Lamb, Guy Reschenthaler, Mary Gay Scanlon, Lloyd Smucker and Susan Wild, who voted yes in support of this important and timely legislation.
Kat Procyk
New Kensington