Houston Chronicle by Nicole Hensley Feb. 13, 2019
311 call sheds light on tiger kept in Houston home as tighter restrictions on wild pets sought
Lawmakers were already on the prowl to prohibit tigers as pets in Texas as a weed-smoking 311 caller happened upon an exotic feline locked up at a Houston home.
According to a transcript of her call released Wednesday, the woman behind the 350-pound find believed the tiger was someone’s pet and she wanted to help it.
“I was just wondering if I could make an anonymous call for that — to get that tiger safe,†she said Monday.
A bill introduced on Feb 5. could do the same for all exotic animals. The legislation would tighten restrictions on owning “dangerous wild animals,†including tigers, chimpanzees, gorillas, leopards and lions. Under current Texas law, it’s not illegal to own a pet tiger, though there are a number of requirements, including state-issued permits and insurance.
Senate Bill 641 by state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and House Bill 1268 by state Rep. Eddie Lucio III, D-Brownsville, would make tiger ownership punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The bill makes exceptions for wildlife sanctuaries, research facilities and individuals with certain agriculture licenses.
More:
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/texas/article/Houston-s-roaming-tiger-problem-could-be-solved-13613255.php
