George Bernard Shaw

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Senate bill introduced to restrict pet trade in monkeys, chimpanzees

The Humane Society of the United States applauds Senators Jeffords and Chafee for introducing the Captive Primate Safety Act

WASHINGTON (July 27, 2005) - The Humane Society of the United States today called upon Congress to address a growing problem - the private ownership of primates for use as pets. Senators James Jeffords (I-VT) and Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) introduced the "Captive Primate Safety Act" today out of concern for the welfare of the animals as well as their concern for public health and safety.

"Earlier this month two monkeys escaped from an outdoor enclosure in Ohio and attacked a local resident," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "Primates are powerful wild animals, and they do not belong in people's basements or backyards. These animals can also spread disease to people, and the risks of private ownership cannot and do not exceed the benefits."

"The Captive Primate Safety Act is a common sense solution to a potentially very serious problem," said Senator Jeffords, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "Monkeys, chimpanzees, and other nonhuman primates can be dangerous if not cared for properly and can pose an even greater risk to our public health as carriers of dangerous diseases. Our legislation is needed to help federal agencies control and monitor these species within our borders."

Companion legislation, H.R. 1329, was introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year by U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT) and is awaiting action in the House Resources Committee.

Primates are increasingly popular pets, and animal welfare groups estimate there are 15,000 in private hands in the United States.

According to the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, approximately 100 people, including 29 children, have been injured by primates in the past 10 years; additional incidents may have gone unreported. Primates such as chimpanzees and macaque monkeys have bitten and attacked people, but the threat of disease is arguably even greater than the risk of injury. Primates can spread dangerous diseases such as yellow fever, monkeypox, Ebola and Marburg virus, tuberculosis, Herpes B, and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV), the primate form of HIV.

To date, 29 states have some regulations against the private ownership of some nonhuman primates as pets, but many of these animals move in interstate commerce, and federal legislation is needed. The new bill will prohibit monkeys, chimpanzees, orangutans, and other nonhuman primates from being transported across state lines for the pet trade, but not restrict the movement of these animals for zoos and other federally licensed facilities.

Young primates may seem cute and cooperative, but they inevitably grow larger, stronger and more aggressive. Pet owners have few options when their long-lived animals become difficult to handle. Accredited zoos will not take them, and reputable sanctuaries are at or near capacity.

As a result, these animals may end up back in the hands of breeders and dealers who profit from a continuous cycle of breeding and selling the animals.

"With primate attacks against humans on the rise, and a significant human health threat associated with primates as potential carriers of herpes, tuberculosis, monkey pox, and other diseases, this legislation will provide additional new protections against the human health and safety threats posed by pet primates," stated Senator Chafee. "I am pleased to be joining Senator Jeffords in introducing this important legislation."

The bill is similar to the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, which passed Congress unanimously in 2003, and which bars the interstate commerce in lions, tigers, and other big cats for the pet trade.

"The desire to be close to exotic animals is understandable," noted Adam Roberts, vice-president of Born Free USA, a group that along with The HSUS is a member of the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition. "But keeping primates as pets is simply unjustifiable. The risk to the animals themselves and the people who live near them is just too great. Wild animals belong in the wild."

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing more than 9 million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.

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Adam M. Roberts
Vice President
Born Free USA
PO Box 32160
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 337-3123
Mobile: (202) 445-ELSA (3572)
Email: adam@bornfreeusa.org
Web: www.bornfreeusa.org

Born Free USA works to alleviate suffering, protect threatened species in the wild, investigate cruelty, and encourage everyone to treat wildlife with respect.