ACTION ALERT

U.S. Represenative George Brown (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) have reintroduced "The Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act." (H.R. 1202 in the House of Representatives, and S. 995 in the Senate). This legislation would ban the use of exotic mammals on canned hunts of 1,000 acres or less.

Last year, the House bill had more than 125 cosponsors and had a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime. The legislation has overwhelming bipartisan support, and may receive further action very soon!

Please ask your two U.S. Senators (in separate letters) to support S. 995, and ask your U.S. Representative to support H.R. 1202.

The Honorable __________
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

The Honorable __________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Switchboard: (202) 225-3121

If you do not know who your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative are, or if you would like to find their e-mail address, you can contact Capitol Advantage.

Here are a few points you may wish to make:

• There are thousands of canned hunts in the U.S., where weekend warriors can shoot tame, captive animals for a fee. There is absolutely no sport in shooting a tame, fenced-in animal simply for a trophy.

• About a dozen states already ban or restrict canned hunts, but states where canned hunts are legal can purchase exotic animals from any state. Federal legislation is necessary to halt the trade in exotic animals for use at canned hunts.

• Many of the animals used at canned hunts are purchased from zoos and circuses. These animals are accustomed to humans and do not even run when they are approached by hunters. The animals are so tame, in fact, that most of the canned hunts advertise as "no kill, no pay."

• Even many hunters oppose the unsporting and egregiously cruel practice of canned hunts. The Boone and Crockett Club, a hunting organization founded by Teddy Roosevelt, states that "hunting game confined in artificial barriers, including escape-proof fenced enclosures or hunting game transplanted solely for the purpose of commercial shooting" is "unfair chase and unsportsmanlike."

Thank you for your help! If you would like more information about canned hunts, please send us mail or read our fact sheet.

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