An important measure was just signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo in the state of New York prohibiting exhibitors from providing direct contact between the public and big cats. This is an important step that needs to be realized at the Federal level as well. Tippi wants her federal bill “Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act” to garner the same rapid passage that this law has received.

Here is the text:

Environmental Conservation

§ 11-0538. Direct contact between public and big cats prohibited.

1. As used in this section:
    (a)  "Big  cat"  shall  mean  any live species of lion (panthera leo), tiger (panthera tigres), leopard (panthera pardus) (with  the  exception of clouded  leopards  (neofelis  nebulosa)), jaguar  (panthera  onca), mountain lion, sometimes called cougar (felis concolar) or any hybrid of such species.

    (b)  "Direct  contact"  means  physical  contact  or  proximity  where physical  contact is possible, including, but not limited to, allowing a photograph to be taken without a permanent physical barrier designed  to prevent physical contact between the public and big cats.

    (c)  "Dealer" shall mean any person who, in commerce, for compensation or profit, delivers for  transportation,  or  transports,  except  as  a carrier, buys, sells, or negotiates the purchase or sale of any animals.

   (d)  "Exhibitor"  shall mean any person (public or private) exhibiting any  animals, which  were  purchased  in  commerce  or the intended distribution of which affects commerce, or will affect commerce, to the public for compensation, as determined by the commissioner, and  such term includes carnivals, circuses, and  zoos exhibiting such animals whether operated for profit or not.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person licensed or required to be licensed as an exhibitor or dealer pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act, 7 USC  2132-2134, including  agents or employees  of  such person, to knowingly allow the public to have direct contact with a big cat.

3. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to a penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for the first offense and not more than one thousand dollars for a second and subsequent offenses. Each instance of allowing direct contact of a big cat  with  the  public  in  violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense.

4. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or restrict veterinary examination, treatment or care of a big cat or transportation of the animal for such purpose.

* NB Effective February 7, 2015