Implement Georgia Laws Against Exotic Animal Ownership & Care

Please sign and share this petition in an effort to make a statement to Atlanta and urge them to implement laws against owning and caring for wild exotic animals. Several such "pets" have gotten loose in several neighborhoods, terrorizing residents and attacking others. It is appalling that they actually allow people to get permits to have such animals in their homes and care.

A recent investigation by the Department of Natural Resources in Atlanta, Georgia revealed several incidents regarding exotic wild animal attacks on the loose from their yards or enclosures while in the care of their owners. No one expects to see a wild animal in a residential neighborhood and it has put a fright into many locals.

Some examples of such incidents included a lynx that attacked a woman in a ritzy neighborhood of Buckhead while trying to interact with the animal in its own backyard enclosure. In this instance, she did not have the owner's permission, although the yard was not secured and none of her animal's cages had locks. This owner however did have a license and permit to keep the cats.

Despite his legal ownership, he has a history of allowing nine of his cats to escape and terrorize the neighborhood. A lady met face-to-face with one of the exotic cats when it opened its mouth and hissed at her. She was babysitting at the time and had to jump in the pool to get away from its possible danger.

Another incident was when video surfaced with children hand feeding a lion and tiger in a Coweta County home. Another home owner took he Bengal tiger on a leash to a local high school to allow students photos with the animal. Such animals are extremely unpredictable and can be a huge threat to children, pets and other unsuspecting neighbors. People should not be fearful in their own homes and neighborhoods!

These are not the only owners of wild exotic animals since such animals are allowed for breeding or exhibition purposes. Major Stephen Adams with DNR claims that Georgia has some of the strictest laws for housing and possessing these types of animals but if this were so, such potential attacks per the investigations would not occur. Many Georgian's disagree with the laws and believe such ownership of wild animals in residential areas need to be outlawed!

Please help us in our efforts to get a law in place in Georgia to ban the ownership of exotic and wild animals. There is no need to do so. It is not a natural life for them. They belong in their own habitats, sanctuary or proper zoo with proper care. There are too many choices for safe and healthy family pets than ones that can literally harm and kill if loose.