2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Ban The Breeding And Possession Of Certain
Big Cats, Such as Tifers, Lions, Jaguars And Cougars, With The Exception
To Wildlife Sanctuaries, Zoos, Veterinarians, And Universities. In
July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for
the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which would "generally prohibit the
breeding or possession of certain big cats, including tigers, lions,
jaguars, cougars and hybrids. It would provide exceptions for entities
including wildlife sanctuaries, zoos, veterinarians and universities. It
would allow individuals currently in possession of big cats to retain
them if they register each individual animal with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, do not breed or sell the animals, and maintain
distances or permanent barriers to prevent direct contact between the
animals and the public. It would establish criminal penalties of up to
$20,000 in fines or up to five years imprisonment for violations of the
bill's provisions." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill
by a vote of 278-134, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. The Senate
passed the bill, sent it to President Biden, and it ultimately became
law. [House Vote 415,
7/29/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/29/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
263]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The Big Cat Public Safety Act That Would
Ban Big Cat Ownership. In December 2020, Fitzpatrick voted for the Big
Cat Public Safety Act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"prohibit the breeding or possession of certain big cats, including
tigers, lions, jaguars, cougars, and hybrids. It would provide
exceptions for entities including wildlife sanctuaries, zoos,
veterinarians, and universities. It would allow individuals currently in
possession of big cats to retain them if they register each individual
animal with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, do not breed or sell the
animals, and do not allow direct contact between the animals and the
public. It would establish criminal penalties of up to $20,000 in fines
or up to five years imprisonment for violations of the bill's
provisions." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a
vote of 272-114. [House Vote 232,
12/3/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/3/20;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1380]