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New York lawmakers introduce legislation that would make tiger selfies illegal

The bill prohibits New Yorkers from taking photos of themselves while hugging, petting or otherwise touching tigers in New York.

By Evan Bleier
Critically endangered Amur tigers at the Saint Louis Zoo in St. Louis. (File/UPI Photo/St. Louis Zoo)
Critically endangered Amur tigers at the Saint Louis Zoo in St. Louis. (File/UPI Photo/St. Louis Zoo) | License Photo

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ALBANY, N.Y., June 23 (UPI) -- In order to help increase safety at traveling circuses and county fairs, a New York lawmaker has introduced a bill that would make tiger selfies illegal in the Empire State.

Many may not be aware of it, but tiger selfies are a growing trend on dating websites like Tinder and OKCupid. They have become so popular that a Tumblr blog called "Tinder Guys with Tigers" has been created.

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The bill, which was introduced by Manhattan Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, would ban people from posing for photos while hugging, patting or otherwise touching tigers in New York.

State legislators from both sides of the aisle have signed off on the measure and a spokesman for Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the bill was under review.

"They can still pose with bears and monkeys," Rosenthal told the New York Post. "They just have to take big cats off their list."

The fine for catching a tiger a by the toe would be $500.

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