LA City Council considering prohibiting elephants with circuses
The Personnel and Animal Welfare Committee of the Council have decided to move forward to a full Council vote on a prohibition on the use of elephants in circuses.
LA City Council Personnel and Animal Welfare Committee decided yesterday to move forward to a vote by full Council a prohibition on the use of elephants in circuses. This is potentially a huge step forward, eliminating terrible suffering of elephants in the city and ADI will be working hard to secure this.
The following options were approved for consideration by the full Council:
Option 1. The City consider adopting an ordinance prohibiting the use of elephants in traveling shows and exhibitions.
Option 3. The City consider adopting an ordinance prohibiting in any public performance related context the use of bullhooks (aka guides or ankuses), baseball bats, axe handles, pitchforks and other implements and tools designed to inflict pain for the purpose of training and controlling the behavior of elephants.
Option 4. The City consider adopting an ordinance prohibiting the use of elephants in traveling shows and exhibitions (including circuses) and, in any public performance related context, the use of bullhooks/guides, baseball bats, axe handles, pitchforks and other implements and tools designed to inflict pain for the purpose of training and controlling the behavior of elephants.
It is of concern that Option 6, which would have been the clearest prohibition of elephants visiting the city with circuses, leaving no loopholes, was not approved to go for vote.
Option 6. The City consider adopting an ordinance prohibiting the presence within the city limits of Los Angeles of any elephants owned by and/or featured in traveling shows and exhibitions (including circuses).
It was disappointing, after excellent testimony, that a full wild animal ban is not proceeding for consideration but this remains a very important step forward for animals.