AR-News: Minnesota Passes Law Against Keeping Dangerous Animals as Pets

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From:  Primfocus 
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 6:16 PM
Subject: primfocus: Minnesota Passes Law Against Keeping Dangerous Animals as Pets


http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=101-06022004
Minnesota Passes Law Against Keeping Dangerous Animals as Pets

6/2/2004 9:01:00 AM 


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To: National Desk, Legal Reporter 

Contact: Chris Cutter of International Fund for Animal Welfare, 508-744-2066 or ccutter at ifaw.org; Web: http://www.ifaw.org

YARMOUTHPORT, Mass., June 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW, Web: http://www.ifaw.org) today announced that Minnesota Gov. 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. IFAW pushed for the bill's passage to limit the number of wild animals currently being kept in private ownership across the country.

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.

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. 

"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.

In December 2003, IFAW helped to pass the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, a federal bill that bans the interstate commerce of big cats. The bill was the first national step toward slowing the trade in exotic pets across America.

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The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) -- Web: http://www.ifaw.org -- works to improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of both animals and people.


http://www.usnewswire.com/
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