THLN: Texas Law on Big Cats and Exotic Animal Ownership Needs Improvement

AUSTIN, Texas – On Monday, April 20th, the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) released a response to big cat and exotic animal ownership in Texas due to the explosive success of Netflix's Tiger King documentary and the attention these issues are now getting in the media and the culture.

Tiger King tells extremely interesting stories about various roadside zoo owners, but fails to adequately communicate the very real risks of big cats in private settings and the proven abuse of these wonderful animals that typically goes hand-in-hand with their confinement outside their natural habitat.

THLN has advocated against the private ownership of wild animals, including big cats, since 2001 by helping to enact the Dangerous Wild Animal Act (DWAA, § 822.101, et seq.). The law has made a significant impact on public safety, but more can be done.

"While THLN supported the passage of DWAA, we have also supported numerous efforts over the years to strengthen the law," said Shelby Bobosky, Executive Director for THLN. "The benefit of Tiger King is it allows us to talk about the deficiencies of our state law and the push for federal legislation. THLN wants to be a part of that conversation leading into next session."

THLN's team of experts is ready to shed light on the facts about big cats in Texas and the need to reexamine our own laws. If you'd like to learn more, set up an interview with a THLN expert, or inquire further, please contact Cara Gustafson at cara@publicblueprint.com.

To learn more about THLN please visit their website at thln.org