|
Minnesota
(June 2nd 2004)
The Minnesota Governor
Tim Pawlenty has signed into law a bill prohibiting
the possession of dangerous wild animals such as big
cats, bears, and nonhuman primates as pets.
The bill's passage
was supported by the International Fund for Animal
Welfare (IFAW), and will limit the number of wild
animals currently being kept in private ownership
across the United States.
The legislation will
eventually phase out ownership of big cats, primates
and bears as pets in Minnesota. Zoos, wildlife
sanctuaries, licensed game farms, research
facilities, and circuses will not be affected by
this law though existing breeders will be subject to
stricter regulations. Currently, it is estimated
that there are over 10,000 tigers, up to 20,000
large cats and at least 3,000 great apes being kept
in private hands across the United States.
"This
legislation will reduce the number of dangerous wild
animals kept as pets and help ensure the safety and
health of the Minnesota public," said Sarah
Tyack of IFAW.
The aim is to reduce
the number of attacks on humans, as well as to
reduce the number of exotic pets kept in poor
conditions. Exotic pets often have very unusual
requirements which can either be very expensive, and
in some cases the owner is ignorant of the animal's
true needs. In February of this year, four tigers
were found dead at a breeding facility in Pelican
Rapids, Minn., and a man in Red Wing, Minn., was
convicted for illegally possessing five tigers.
Related Articles
 Should
I Get an Exotic Pet?
Unusual
Animals as Pets
|
