Relates to public safety and big cats

1 Co-sponsor

• Liz Krueger

BILL NUMBER:S6903C

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to public safety and big cats

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to protect animal caretakers, those inter-acting with wild animals, bystanders and the animals themselves by preventing direct contact between wild animals and members of the public.

Summary of provisions

Section one amends the environmental conservation law by adding a new section 11-0538. Section two sets forth the effective date.

Justification

In New York and throughout the United States, several roadside zoo exhibitors and traveling menageries allow members of the public to hold take photos with, and otherwise interact with wild animals in roadside zoos, fairgrounds, malls and other public areas. This activity severely harms the welfare of the animals, endangers the public, and is a heavy burden on law enforcement.

This activity also requires an ongoing supply of young animals. Infant animals are prematurely separated from their mothers to be groomed for human handling, often die due to constant handling and travel, and are even subjected to abusive training and painful declawing or deranging procedures in a futile attempt to make them safe for public contact once they mature. After the animals grow too big for handling, they are held on leashes with no protective barriers. Often they are dumped and sent to substandard facilities.

There is no safe or humane result when direct contact with wild animals is allowed. Other states, including Kansas, Mississippi, and Arizona, have strengthened existing laws to address public contact issues.

This legislation is narrowly crafted to prohibit direct physical contact between members of the public and captive wild animals as defined in subdivision 6 (e) of section 11-0103 of the New York Environmental Conservation Law. This bill would not impact exhibition of captive animals or restrict veterinary examination, treatment and care, or transportation deemed necessary. In addition, the bill specifically does not apply to zoos or aquariums accredited by the association of zoos & aquariums (AZA).

Legislative history

2013-2014 Assembly A9004(Rosenthal)

Fiscal implications

Yet to be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred and eightieth day after it shall have become a law.