CONGRESSMAN TOM TO INTRODUCE SHAMBALA WILD ANIMAL PROTECTION ACT –
LEGISLATION WILL REGULATE ANIMALS TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY AND ASSURE WELFARE OF
ANIMALS
Tom Lantos, Tippi Hedren, Melanie Griffith, Bo Derek and Kermit giving a
press conference on the Shambala Wild Animal Act
Press Release -- March
29, 2000
Washington – Congressman Tom Lantos (D-California) today
announced the introduction of the Shambala Wild Animal Protection Act. The
legislation would amend the Animal Welfare Act to protect public safety by
placing restrictions and controls on the killing, personal possession, breeding,
import, export, transfer, or sale of protected wild animals (lions, tigers,
leopards, etc). The bill outlines requirements for the personal possession of
these wild animals. The legislation also addresses the killing or "canned
hunting" of captive animals.
In developing the legislation Congressman
Lantos worked with leaders of the animal sanctuary community who have been
alarmed about the many incidents relating to death and injury resulting from
irresponsible possession of wild animals. One of the leaders of this effort is
Tippi Hedren of the Roar Foundation and the Shambala Preserve in California. Ms.
Hedren is the star of Alfred Hitchcock's classic film, The Birds.
The
introduction of the legislation was announced today at a press conference at
which Congressman Lantos was joined joined by actresses Ms. Hedren, her daughter
Melanie Griffith, Bo Derek, and Kermit the Frog, with Muppet performer Steve
Whitmire.
In explaining the reason for sponsoring this legislation,
Congressman Lantos told his fellow members of Congress:
"Just a few days
ago a 400 pound ‘pet' Bengal tiger tore off part of the right arm of a
three-year-old boy. Doctors reattached the arm during an 11-hour operation, but
were doubtful that he would ever have full use of his arm. This tragedy,
unfortunately, is not unique. All too often wild animals are kept as pets under
conditions that do not assure the safety of people nearby or that are cruel to
the animals."
Kermit
the Frog - one of the expert wittnesses
