Stop Circus Suffering

Hawaii is second US state to ban wild animal acts!

Governor Ige signs legislation banning import of wild animals for entertainment.

UPDATE:

On December 21, 2018, Hawaii became the second US state to ban wild animal circus acts! Thank you Governor David Ige for signing into law rule amendments to ban the import of elephants, tigers, bears, and other “dangerous” wild animals for circus and carnival performances and exhibitions. It follows adoption of the legislation by the Small Business Regulatory Review Board earlier in the month. Never again will animals suffer in the Aloha state as poor Tyke did, her shocking and horrific death on the streets of Honolulu in 1994 never to be forgotten. Huge thanks also to tireless animal advocates Tyler Ralston, Cathy Goeggel of Animal Rights Hawai’i, Inga Gibson of Pono Advocacy, Stephanie Hendrick of Hawaiian Humane Society, and Keith Dane of The Humane Society of the United States. It took a village!

PREVIOUSLY:

On September 25, 2018, the Hawaii Board of Agriculture voted 6-3 to adopt rule amendments to ban the import of certain “dangerous” wild animals for circus and carnival performances and exhibitions. ADI welcomes this historic move, as the first US state to stop circus suffering for wild animals – we supported the effort and submitted written testimony, and now send our shout out of thanks to the local supporters who’ve worked on this for years, some since personally witnessing Tyke’s dreadful end 24 years ago. The legislation next goes to the Small Business Regulatory Review Board (SBRRB), then to Governor Ige for signature.

Hawaii could become the first US state to ban the use of wild animal circus and carnival acts.

In 2015, Hawaii’s Governor Ige pledged to discontinue permitting for wild animal acts; the Hawaii Board of Agriculture has yet to act on the necessary rule changes. However, on September 25, the Board will consider proposed rule amendments identifying certain wild animals as “dangerous,” including elephants, tigers, and bears, among others, and prohibiting their import into the state for use in circuses and carnivals. ADI supports the proposed rule changes and urges the Board to vote “yes,” and make good on the Governor’s pledge to end cruel and dangerous wild animal acts.

ADI has worked with local advocates over the years to support this measure for the animals, especially Tyke and Daisy – whose tragic stories still live in the hearts of Hawaiians – we applaud and join in their commitment these many years to end circus animal cruelty.

Now is the time to act for change! Tomorrow, September 25 at 9am local time, the Board will consider the amendments and is taking public comments in person and via email (details below). If you are available, please consider attending the hearing to speak for those who can’t.

If you plan to present oral testimony at the public hearing, please sign up when you arrive.

Other ways you can help:

To support this historic opportunity to make Hawaii the first state in the US to ban wild animal circus acts, please send a polite message today urging the Board of Agriculture to finalize this proposed rule change to end circus animal cruelty.

Email your support to addressed to Chairman Scott Enright and Hawaii Board of Agriculture Members at HDOA.BOARD.TESTIMONY@HAWAII.GOV. Make sure to include the word “TESTIMONY” in the subject line.

You can use this template email:

“SUBJECT: TESTIMONY – in support of proposed amendments to Ch.4-71

Dear Chairman Enright and Hawaii Board of Agriculture Members,

I urge you to support the proposed amendments to Ch.4-71, to ban the import of dangerous, wild non-domestic animals for performance or exhibition in circuses and carnivals.

Overwhelming evidence shows that animals in traveling circuses endure prolonged confinement, and long, grueling journeys (especially for those making the trip to Hawaii); physical and social deprivation; brutal control methods and physical violence. Wild animals don’t belong in chains or boxcars; Hawaii has learned the hard way that it’s neither appropriate nor safe to force wild animals to perform unnatural tricks for the sole purpose of human amusement.

Wild animals living in a state of severe stress, confinement, and abuse are at high risk of lashing out or trying to escape. Circus workers and members of the public, including children, have been killed and maimed by circus animals.

Let’s learn the lessons Tyke and Daisy taught us – please use this opportunity to set those terrible wrongs right; it’s time to protect animals and our citizens by passing this important animal protection and public safety rule amendment.

Sincerely,”

 

RSVP to ADI at usa@ad-international.org or 323-935-2234.

Comments

  1. George rotan · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Just because animals dont talk human doesnt mean they dont have the same rights

    1. Hugaerts P · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

      They do talk but we don’t listen.

    2. Michelle weirich · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

      Absolutely right! What gives us the right?

  2. Amy Sue · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    please retract the import permit of the three bears from performing unnatural acts for human entertainment. Wild animals do not need to entertain Hans doing unnatural acts in circuses, carnivals or anywhere they do not belong. They belong in the wild not in captivity

  3. Geraldine Daly · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Please put a stop to this barbaric torture of animals, a.s.a.p.

    1. heather · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

      I think the mark of a civilized society is one that respects all animals.

  4. Cynthia Narkoff · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Can’t something still be done about those 3 bears that are off to that fair? That’s so sad. signed

  5. c.h. · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Why ?

  6. carolyn glover · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Animals deserve to live their lives as nature intended. No need for this in the 21st century.

  7. Denise Bell · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Stop using animals as inanimate objects – they are living sentient beings and deserve to be left in the wild and not behaving in an unlikely way in a circus – they do not need to know how to ride bikes or be dressed up in human clothing or be in a circus at all.

  8. Denise Bell · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    ANIMALS DO NOT BELONG IN CIRCUSES, THEY BELONG IN THE WILD.

  9. Emily · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    This is disgusting and anybody who thinks otherwise needs to be shot. This poor animal can’t speak for itself if it was a human and this was happening there would be world wide outrage! Stop animal enslavement and abuse!!!!!!!

    1. Marnee · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

      Emily, thank you for your post.. Very well said and I agree!!

  10. B.J. · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Hawaii – do the right thing and prevent the abuse and endangerment to the health of these bears that allowing them to perform at the Fair would cause. Bears need to be allowed to live in the outdoors. This kind of travel and confinement would be very hard on a human – why not equally as stressful to a bear?

  11. Jean Brett · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Please stop issuing permits for these wild animals, it’s not natural for them to perform tricks and cruel to be kept in cages they should be free to roam about!

  12. Marilyn Flynn · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Get those bears back!!

  13. Rosemary Rannes · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    please retract the import permit of the three bears from performing unnatural acts for human entertainment. Wild animals do not need to entertain Hans doing unnatural acts in circuses, carnivals or anywhere they do not belong. They belong in the wild not in captivity

  14. Lone Granhøj El Imam · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Please free the three bears from entertainment, and let them live as free animals. It is their right.

  15. shirley bull · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    These animals need to be free. They feel pain fear hunger just like people so let them feel the comfort of freedom and live in peace. Please.

  16. Manon Morin · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Free all animals from zoos and circuses !!

  17. Michelle Stolk · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Please end the cruelty of animals performing in circus acts. These animals deserve the life of an animal that is free from the harm of man and should not be used as a profit. Please let your heart and compassion lead your way to change this for the betterment of these animals.

  18. Janet · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Surely no one in their right mind would find this fun???

  19. Etta Haufe · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Nobody Need this !!! Sick Sick Sick

  20. libert · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    stop dieren circussen

  21. rooze · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    SAD !.

  22. krystian konopek · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    that is cruel

  23. sue allen · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    no more using animals in curcuses

  24. ELENI DEMETRIOU · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    ANIMALS DO NOT BELONG TO US PEOPLE!THEY BELONG TO THE WILD!PLEASE PUT AN END TO THEIR SUFFERING!

  25. aimee martz dick · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Please, I beg of you to turn inward and listen to your heart and, and hence to the heart and sou of all sentinel animals, and you will hear the whisper, “we are ONE”.
    Then,I beg of you, be a role model for those who may be deaf at this time. Stop the humiliation, the cruelty, the far from normal behaviors, wishes and instincts of these and all animals. They are our brothers and sisters. Let us move forward, from this moment on, in peace and compassion.

  26. Lindsey Clauw · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    This really has to STOP! ! No animal should have to go through that.

  27. Leigh Vogel · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Please help to stop the abuse and mocking of wild animals. This is a travesty. Let them be free.

  28. Richard Jenkins · 21 December 2018 at 7:08a

    Congrats to the Hawaii’s Governor. Please, I urge all Governors of the USA and other nations to close Seaworld , and Circus act using wild animals. Stop Yulin Festival 2015. Please? Urgent. Please?

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