Nevada Introduces Bill to Ban Exotic Species Ownership
Nevada is one of the only remaining states without a ban on the ownership of exotic wild animals as pets. Now, a new bill, SB344, is awaiting action in the Assembly after passing the Senate, Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) reports.
The bill provides provisions of “importation, possession, sale, transfer and breeding of dangerous wild animals.” The bill does make allowances for those who own exotic animals already, with some safety and welfare requirements. It also allows zoos and licensed exhibitors to keep the animals, while creating emergency plans and welfare requirements for them.
“Although it wasn’t the show’s intent, it did raise awareness about the plight of captive big cats and expose the hidden suffering associated with a practice called cub petting,” Jeff Dixon, Nevada state director for the Humane Society, said of the importance of Tiger King in bringing awareness to the issue, The Nevada Independent reported. “It also highlighted why SB344 is the least that Nevada can do to help address this issue.”
Adult big cats kept as pets are known to suffer psychologically as a result of being housed in small confined areas. Cubs used for petting and photo ops are often taken from their mothers at an early age and also suffer psychologically.
[video=youtube;IaO1YbdF00c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaO1YbdF00c[/video]
These types of bills that restrict exotic pet ownership are extremely important to the preservation and well-being of wild animals. Exotic animals in the pet trade are often stolen from their families in the wild or bred in terrible conditions. They aren’t given proper space or stimulation and being out of their natural environments is incredibly harmful to their development. Oftentimes, owners will no longer want these animals once they are bigger, more dangerous, and “less cute.” Unable to be released into the wild, their lives are often cut short.
sign this petition to tell Instagram and its chief executive, Adam Mosseri, to ban photos depicting exotic animal owmership
https://www.thepetitionsite.com/sv/647/643/552/?TAP=1732