Alabama bill to prohibit hunting of caged animals

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The House gave final passage Tuesday to legislation that prohibits the hunting of animals who are caged or don't have a fair chance to avoid being killed.

"The animal has to have an opportunity to escape," said the House sponsor, Rep. Blaine Galliher, R-Gadsden. "You can't tie an animal up to a tree and shoot it."
Galliher said the bill would also prohibit someone from buying a lion from a circus and then hunting the lion. The bill allows people to continue to hunt birds, such as quail, that have been raised in pens.

The bill also allows people who raise wild game to import deer and other animals into Alabama as long as they are indigenous to the state. Galliher said he believes that provision could open up new opportunities for people who want to raise wild game.

The bill now goes to Gov. Bob Riley for his signature.