Sheriff Matt Lutz wants Congress to pass bill barring exotic cat trade

WASHINGTON D.C. — Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz wants Congress to pass a bill that would ban the trade of big cats as pets.

Lutz testified Thursday's night in front of the U.S. House Committee in support of the Big Cat Public Safety Act, a House bill that eliminates the sale of exotic cats to be used as domesticated animals.

In 2011, Terry Thompson released 56 animals before taking his own life in Muskingum County. The sheriff's office took charge in the incident.

Following that, state officials quickly stepped in with their own law that prevents big cat trade.

"Ohio took the bull by the horns after our incident, and put a bunch of guidelines in place that would pretty much eliminate the situation we had," Lutz said. "However, there are a lot of states out there that haven't done that."

A federal bill needs to be passed so something similar doesn't happen in other states, according to Lutz.

The House passed the bill with bipartisan support in a 272-114 vote. The Senate has not voted on it yet.

According to the bill, it revises restrictions on the possession, exhibition or breeding of big cats, such as lions, tigers, leopards and other exotic cats.

It has received support from animal advocacy groups, like the SPCA, Big Cat Rescue, Animal Wellness Action and more.

Lutz has spoken to Congress about a need for a federal bill prior to his testimony with other sheriffs.

For him, the appeal is about more than animals. It's also about protecting officers.

"This bill is probably as much a public safety bill as it is an animal bill," Lutz said.

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This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Muskingum sheriff wants congress to pass Big Cat Public Safety Act