Traveling exotic animal and public safety protection act

HR 5999


SPONSOR: Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva
CO-SPONSORS: 81 (as of 11/27/22)   HERE
STATUS: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture 11/17/21



S 3220

SPONSOR: Sen. Robert Menendez
CO-SPONSORS: 1 (as of 11/27/22) HERE
STATUS: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 11/17/21



2021 Version Changes: The new version first corrects a lettering issue within the section the new law is to be added to.  It uses the new order name Cetartiodactyla over Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates).   The bill also adds an Alliance of Marine Mammals Parks and Aquariums exemption.


SPECIES AFFECTED: Exotic or wild animals (any animal not domestic or farm animal) including:

  • Canidae (Dogs) except domestic
  • Cetartiodactyla except alpaca, bison, cattle, deer, elk, goat, llama, reindeer, swine, and sheep
  • Crocodilia (crocodilians like crocodiles, alligators)
  • Edentata (anteaters, sloths, armadillos)
  • Elasmobranchii (sharks, rays, skates)
  • Felidae (cats except domestic)
  • Hyaenidae (hyenas, aardwolves)
  • Marsupialia (marsupials like kangaroos, wallabies)
  • Mustelidae (weasel family)
  • Nonhuman Primates
  • Perissodactyla except horse, donkey and mule (odd-toed ungulates)
  • Pinnipedia (seals)
  • Proboscidea (elephants)
  • Procyonidae (raccoon family)
  • Ratites (i.e. emu, cassowary, rhea)
  • Spheniscidae (penguins)
  • Testudinidae (tortoises)
  • Ursidae (bears)
  • Varanidae (monitor lizards, Komodo dragons)
  • Vivveridae (civets, binturong)


Note: We provided some common name examples in parenthesis.  They are not part of the bill.   


Domestic: any animal that is normally maintained as a companion or pet animal in or near the household of the owner or person who cares for the animal (includes domestic dog including service dogs, domestic cat, ferret, gerbil, horse, mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, or hamster).


Farm Animal: alpacas, cow, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, poultry, rabbits, horses, mules, or donkeys


SECTORS AFFECTED: Traveling Animal Acts (performance of an animal for which the animal is transported in a mobile or traveling housing facility to, from, or between locations for the purpose of a performance)

CLASSIFICATION: Ban – Traveling Animal Acts

DETAILS: BANS causing a performance of, or allowing for the participation of, an exotic or wild animal in a traveling animal act

EXEMPTIONS:

    • Domestic animals or farm animals
    • Exhibition at nonmobile, permanent AZA, WAZA, GFAS, or Alliance of Marine Mammals Parks and Aquariums institution, zoo, or aquarium
    • AZA or Alliance of Marine Mammals Parks and Aquariums environmental education program if not used more than 180 days a year or in mobile housing more than 12 hours a day
    • Institution of higher education laboratory, or other research facility
    • Film, television or advertising if no live public audience
    • Rodeos
    • National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association or the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council wildlife rehabilitator using indigenous wildlife in exhibition or environmental education program if not kept in mobile housing more than 12 hours a day
    • Federal falconer
    • 501(c)(3) Wildlife sanctuary that does not use them in commercial trade, sale, photo ops or public events for profit, breed them, allow unescorted visitation, allow direct public contact, or remove animals for an exhibition or performance


    GRANDFATHERING: None

    ENFORCING AGENCY: USDA

    SEIZURE & FORFEITURE: None

    PENALTIES: Civil penalty up to $10,000 per violation per day; if violating any cease and desist order - $1500 per day


    EFFECTIVE DATE: 1 year after enactment