http://forcechange.com/62320/prevent-texans-from-keeping-captive-tigers/
According to Care 2 Make a Difference, a popular animal welfare web site, there are more tigers living in captivity in Texas than there are wild tigers in the entire world. Leaders are now considering legislation that would prevent future owners from keeping tigers and other large cats captive. It would also protect captive primates in populous counties with over 75,000 people.
Texas currently allows ownership of wild cats, despite the fact that more children have died from large cat attacks in Texas than in any other state. Almost 50 Texans have lost limbs or experienced serious injuries from wild animals living in captivity. This constitutes 10 percent of all the deaths and injuries from captive wild animal attacks throughout the nation. As Senator Eddie Lucio, a supporter of the bill, said, “These animals are not intended to be pets. They deserve the care and respect that can only be provided by professional facilities.”
Approximately 3,000 tigers live in the wild, yet 10- to 20,000 live in captivity in the US. Thirty states currently ban ownership of wild animals like primates and large cats, but in Texas, the only requirement for owning such an animal is proper registration through the state. Due to the lax ownership standards, many animals are severely neglected and mistreated. Texas has already received a poor rating from the US Humane Society (HSUS) for its treatment of wild animals in captivity. Ask state leaders to ban ownership of wild cats and primates.
Dear Governor Perry,
Texas Congress may soon pass a bill to ban Texas citizens from owning wild cats and primates in captivity. According to experts, there are more tigers living in captivity in Texas than there are living in the wild throughout the world. The bill in question would prevent ownership of wild animals in counties with over 75,000 residents.
More children have died from big cat attacks in Texas than in any other state, and nearly 50 Texans have experienced serious injuries from wild animals living in captivity. This makes up 10 percent of all attacks in the entire nation.
30 US states already forbid ownership of wild animals like tigers and chimpanzees, both of which are threatened species. Please let these captive animals retreat to animal sanctuaries where they may live out their days in peace. I ask that you also prevent the future ownership of wild cats and primates by inexperienced Texas citizens.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
