August 31, 2016 Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary U.S. Department
August 31, 2016 Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary U.S. Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, DC 20250 Re: Additional Information In Support of Petition to Prohibit Public Contact with Dangerous Wild Animals (Docket No. APHIS-2012-0107) Dear Secretary Vilsack, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS), The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Born Free USA (BFUSA), The Fund for Animals (“The Fund”), and Big Cat Rescue (BCR) (collectively “Petitioners”) submitted a rulemaking petition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA/APHIS) on October 18, 2012 (amended January 7, 2013) requesting amendment of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) handling regulations pertaining to big cats, bears, and nonhuman primates. 9 C.F.R. § 2.131(a),(c); 9 CFR § 3.77(g); 9 CFR § 3.78(e); 9 CFR § 3.79(d). Through the Petition – as bolstered by expert declarations, Petitioners’ November 18, 2013 comments, Petitioners’ supplement dated December 2, 2014, and Petitioners’ letter dated March 31, 2015, all attached (Appendix A) and hereby incorporated by reference – Petitioners have presented 1 copious scientific evidence that it is unsafe and inhumane for AWA-licensed exhibitors, breeders, and dealers to allow members of the public to have direct contact (or unreasonably close contact) with dangerous wild animals, regardless of the age of the animal. See 81 Fed. Reg. 41257 (June 24, 2016); 78 Fed. Reg. 47215 (Aug. 5, 2013); 78 Fed. Reg. 63408 (Oct. 24, 2013).1 Further, just since USDA reopened this comment period in June 2016, over 190,000 members and constituents of Petitioners’ organizations have voiced their support for the petitioned action.
[Show full text]