2022 New York Laws
ENV - Environmental Conservation
Article 11 - Fish and Wildlife
Title 5 - Fish and Wildlife Management Practices Cooperative Program; Prohibitions; Taking of Fish, Wildlife, Shellfish and Crustacea for Scientific Or
11-0538 - Direct Contact Between Public and Big Cats Prohibited.

§ 11-0538. Direct contact between public and big cats prohibited.
  1. As used in this section:
  (a)  "Big  cat"  shall  mean  any live species of lion (panthera leo),
tiger (panthera tigres), leopard (panthera pardus) (with  the  exception
of  clouded  leopards  (neofelis  nebulosa)),  jaguar  (panthera  onca),
mountain lion, sometimes called cougar (felis concolar) or any hybrid of
such species.
  (b)  "Direct  contact"  means  physical  contact  or  proximity  where
physical  contact is possible, including, but not limited to, allowing a
photograph to be taken without a permanent physical barrier designed  to
prevent physical contact between the public and big cats.
  (c)  "Dealer" shall mean any person who, in commerce, for compensation
or profit, delivers for  transportation,  or  transports,  except  as  a
carrier, buys, sells, or negotiates the purchase or sale of any animals.
  (d)  "Exhibitor"  shall mean any person (public or private) exhibiting
any  animals,  which  were  purchased  in  commerce  or   the   intended
distribution  of which affects commerce, or will affect commerce, to the
public for compensation, as determined by  the  commissioner,  and  such
term  includes  carnivals,  circuses,  and  zoos exhibiting such animals
whether operated for profit or not.
  2. It shall be unlawful for any person  licensed  or  required  to  be
licensed as an exhibitor or dealer pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act, 7
USC  2132-2134,  including  agents  or  employees  of  such  person,  to
knowingly allow the public to have direct contact with a big cat.
  3. Any person who violates the provisions of  this  section  shall  be
subject to a penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for the first
offense  and  not  more  than  one  thousand  dollars  for  a second and
subsequent offenses. Each instance of allowing direct contact of  a  big
cat  with  the  public  in  violation of this section shall constitute a
separate offense.
  4. Nothing in this section shall be construed  to  limit  or  restrict
veterinary examination, treatment or care of a big cat or transportation
of the animal for such purpose.