Historic Bill to end use of wild animals in circuses launched
ADI welcomes Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act introduced by Congressman Jim Moran today
Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) today introduced to Congress a bill to end the use of wild animals in traveling circuses in the US – the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA).
Launching the new bill Rep Jim Moran said, “From video and photographic evidence, it’s clear that traveling circuses aren’t providing the proper living conditions for exotic animals. This legislation is intended to target the most egregious situations involving exotic and wild animals in traveling circuses,” The mounting evidence of inhumane treatment and the growing public concern for these animals demands that we reconsider what are appropriate living conditions for these intelligent, social creatures.”
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ADI has been working with Congressman Moran and is supplying members of Congress with technical briefings examining evidence of cruelty, the dangers posed by keeping wild animals in temporary housing, and the economics issues.
ADI President Jan Creamer, said: “Magnificent wild animals have no place in a traveling circus, and with this bill, the US joins almost 30 countries across the world that have taken action to end the suffering. Due to the very nature of the traveling circus, wild animals cannot move around or exercise naturally, they live their whole lives chained or tied up, or in small cages that fit on the back of a truck. Our investigations have also shown that violence to control animals is part of circus culture; animals are beaten, whipped and electric shocked to make them perform tricks. This brutality has no place in modern society.”
Due to their very nature – small, mobile and temporary facilities, restriction of movement, barren environments and long, arduous journeys – wild animals in travelling circuses are subject to unavoidable suffering. The restricted facilities, and the nature of the acts the animals are forced to perform, also increases the amount of handling and control required leading to physical abuse.
ADI estimates that around 300 wild animals tour the US with circuses, and the following are just a few recent examples of the welfare and public safety issues involved:
- Brown bears caged for 90% of their time in small cages in the back of a trailer. Dressed in costumes, muzzled and forced to ride motorcycles, walk on their front paws and play basketball.
- Elephants routinely chained by two legs for the majority of their time, barely able to take one step forward and one back. Elephants being controlled with bullhooks and stun guns.
- In March, three circus elephants escaped for 45 minutes from a circus in Missouri and rampaged through the parking lot, damaging vehicles. One of the elephants, Viola, had previously escaped from another circus in 2010. Such public safety hazards are frequent in traveling circuses.
- Monkeys living in tiny cages in the back of a camper; forced to wear costumes, collars and leashes and perform tricks.
- Bengal tigers and African lions spending approximately 22 hours a day in cages on the backs of trucks that allow on a few paces to exercise.
If passed, TEAPA would see the US join almost 30 diverse countries that have already passed similar legislation including Austria, Belgium, Greece, India, Bolivia, Colombia and Panama. Others, including Great Britain, Brazil and Mexico, are currently considering legislation.
Supporters of the Bill include:
Philanthropist and legendary TV host of The Price Is Right Bob Barker: “Americans are becoming increasingly aware that circus animals suffer from violent training techniques and severe confinement. Big, wild animals should not be part of the traveling circus and simply put, animal acts in circuses are antiquated and belong in the past, in a time when humans were not as aware of the needs of the other species that share our planet.“
CSI actress Jorja Fox, known to 73 million viewers as CSI’s Sara Sidle: “Congress has a responsibility to protect the welfare of animals and ensure public safety. A prohibition on the use of exotic and wild animals in traveling circuses is proportionate, responsible, the least expensive solution to this problem, and long overdue. We call on Congress to bring to an end, once and for all, the abuse and suffering that has been exposed by ADI time and time again.”
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Save all elephants from submission, humiliation, and torture. Thank you.
PLEASE SAY ” NO ” TO ALL WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUS
so much wildlife is abused and should not be used for entertainment to make big bucks for the circuses and sides show. they need to stay in their habitat. we are their only voice. let them enjoy life and not be used any longer.
PLEASE STOP THE CIRCUS. ANIMALS ARE NOT MADE FOR THAT. ITS CRUELTY AND WE KNOW IT THE WORD IS SPREAD. PIKETERS ARE READY… THE CIRCUSES WITH JUST HUMAN ENTERTAINMENT HAS GROWN REALLY POPULAR. THOSE ELEPHANTS ARE OLD ITS BORING TOO. HAVE A HEART DONT LET THIS GO ON. IM WITH ANIMAL ACTIVISTS ILL BE OUT THERE WITH MY SIGN QUIETLY BUT IT WILL MAKE PEOPLE THINK . ITS ALL CRUELTY. STOP IT. SINCERELY JILL.
Let all animals go live a happy life!
Please…please stop the cruelty. Give the animals a chance for love and freedom.
The Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA) is a bill that I strongly support. Representative Jim Moran (from Virginia’s 8th congressional district) should be applauded for introducing such important legislation. According to animal rights advocate and actress Jorja Fox, “Congress has a responsibility to protect the welfare of animals and ensure public safety. A prohibition on the use of exotic and wild animals in traveling circuses is proportionate, responsible, the least expensive solution to this problem, and long overdue.”
Brilliantly put
Please stop animal abuse!! Animals feel as much as humans do! We are NOT superior to any other specie, please we need to be humble!!
I agree animal species are sentient like the human species they feel physical and psychological pain.
We must stop this barbaric and inhumane torture! A circus does NOT need animals to be entertaining, that’s what clowns are for!!
Several Country’s have banned animals from the circus.. its time the U.S.take a stand and stop the suffering and abuse of animals.
Please be a hero and save Gods creatures.
HELP save all gods beautiful creatures!
We need to better as human animals.
Please stop animal abuse! This is unacceptable! They feel pain and suffering just like humans. We are their voice. Please be their voice to.
The abuse of circus animals have gone on too long.Plese outlaw the use of Animals in circuses and the keeping of animals by circuses they need to go to Sancturies for animals where they can be free to live in nature
A circus does not need animals… Stop this animal abuse and cruelty now!!!!
Please end ALL forms of animal abuse now – captivity & cruelty in the name of human entertainment. We are better than this – we KNOW better than this. Thank you!
Animals are not slave are beautiful creatures that God create not for us to abuse and kill all animals need to be free we don’t have any right to cage then and use for money or pleasure.
Banning exotic animals in circuses will mean an end to a lot of dodgy operators who shouldn’t hacve a licence! Circus animals suffer unimaginable cruelty; chains, whips, bull-hooks etc: not to mention starving, thirst, stress and terror. BAN ALL EXOTIC ANIMALS FROM CIRCUSES-NOW!
Please stop this endless suffering & cruelty! These animals lives are an constant horror. Imagine the misery they are forced to endure! They have no life, only one forced upon them by abusive humans. Please, with the goodness in your heart, be their voice, stand up & stop this. Thank you!
It needs to stop. All this cruelty to animals needs to stop!!!!
This MUST be STOPPED !!! END Animal Cruelty !!!
This should not be happening to our precious animals and this sort of treatment has got to stop.
Totally beyond comprehension that fellow creatures can be treated like this – laughed at, beaten and abused for the supposed entertainment of others. Let the US join the multitude of other countries that are waking up to the light.
Thank you to all who have help in this cause.
Stop all use of animals in circuses!! . Stop all animals cruelty and abuse!!
stop dieren leed pless
We have Zero right to treat any animal with the kind of abuse that is going on in circuses. . How about treating these people with the same abuse ..
I can’t donate at this time due to unemployment. I urge extremely to please free the circus Tiger and any animals!!! It is pure cruelty to have these animals, beautiful creatures that belong in the wild in cages! STOP THIS NOW!!!! I PLEAD AND PRAY FOR THIS TO STOP!!! Sincerely, Kristine S. Niemeyer
this has to stop countries are slowly realising where theyare f up e g china whaleing please follow others doing good and keep these animals where they should be and NOT IN A CIRCUS BOX there the ones that should be in a box ten foot down
We have to stop this torturous abuse of animals. Elephants. Their whole lives are stolen from them by traveling circuses! They are constantly abused. Traveling in tight box cars. Constantly chained. Beaten with a weapon known as a bull hook. This must end!!
YES!!!! It’s about time this country did the right thing. God bless Congressman Moran.
stop abusing the poor animals they dont belong in zoos or circusses
It’s long due…stop animal abuse now!
It is such a good feeling to know that this bill has been introduced and attention has been brought to the plight of circus animals, especially that any countries are involved. I pray that the next project for multiple countries will be to stop the killing of animals for fur. I just saw a video of a China fur farm. It was so disturbing I almost became sick. I am so glad that animal cruelty is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Wonderful news, abuse only continues because people stay silent and enable the abuser. politicians are afraid to lose voters if they stand up for animals so Jim Moran you are a brave man and a true hero thank you for protecting the innocent animals sir.
Animals do not belong in circus. I always hated the circus since I was a little girl and I still do.
Please end this abuse!
If a progressive country like the US outlaws circus cruelty it will open the door for other countries to follow suit.
It is time we stop using these beautiful animals for entertainment..that is not what they are on this Earth for.
It is time for circuses to discontinue the use of wild animals for their shows. Circuses are not able to provide the correct living conditions for these animals and there are too many risks involved. It isn’t like the late 19th century when the only chance people had to see wild animals was to go to a circus. Now there are zoos that exhibit the animals under conditions suitable for them and the zoos are able to take precautions to make sure that the animals are in an environment where there is generally no risk of the public getting harmed by a dangerous animal such as a large carnivore.
Finally
What great news!!
This has been a travesity for all of these magnificent lovely many very sensitive all intelligent creatures for far to long. The right thing must be done and the right thing is not having these wonderful animals in such a tormented abusive way. Never ever should man have done this. They did so NOW cease all of the animals being in cicuses. I care deeply I find it appalling and so heartbreaking knowing the hell they are put in. Please do the right humane thing. Never again. Thank you Deborah Sherman
I have never been to a circus! I hate the way they mistreat animals! I pray that this bill passes!
Animals belong in the wild, not in cages. How would yo like to be whipped and put in small areas for most of the day. If they need help you could could get a rescue like Big Cat Rescue in Tampa,Fl.
I hate to see animals treated so cruelly. I do not and will not support zoos or circuses or any venues where animals are mistreated.
It needs to stop. All this cruelty to animals needs to stop!!!!
Please stop the cruelty!
I went to zoos and circuses as a child. Little did I know that the beautiful animals in these places were being abused and maltreated. Please help STOP THIS CRUELTY. ANIMALS DESERVE TO BE FREE AND LIVE THEIR LIVES AS THEY WERE CREATED TO BE. Animals can feel pain and loss. They can feel the torment and hurt that they suffer at the hands of their handlers and trainers. Please help STOP THIS ABUSE. Animals do not belong in a circus.
Please don’t allow this to pass. Animals don’t belong in circuses. We need to stop this cruelty now..
So happy to see changes happening for our world’s animals. With declining populations of many of the “exotic” wild animals in the nature, treating them with more respect and compassion can guarantee a bright future for them. Please stop the cruelty and injustice. Please consider how you would like to be treated if you were in their situation.
We can all learn and appreciate wildlife in a way that is in harmony with nature. End the injustice of wildlife in circuses!
Please Remove all Animals From The Circus,,,They Deserve Freedom Now,,Give it to Them,,,Thank You,,,
No animals should be subjected to this horrible and cruel treatment. Stop the circus and let the animals go.
NO
Please Ban all animals from the circus, They are suffering being beaten starved to do tricks by their trainers ,,,Please stop their Agony and pain, They cry out for help,, and no one cares or hears them,,,Free Them now,,,Thank You,,,
Diane Murphy,
Stop this animal exploitation!
END THIS ABUSE !!!
I submitted the petition to my congressman in Florida! STOP THE ABUSE!
please consider these magnificent exotic animals there misery day after day denied the most simple things in life . give them back there famileys please put this right and end what we have taken from the wild. thank you sir.
It makes me so sad, already from a young age I realized how this could be nothing but wrong and how can the witnessing of these animals in pain make circusses a fun experience
My heart is broken knowing these great majestic creatures are being tortured because of mans greed. God has to be sad knowing he gave us dominion over the animals, to care for them, not beat, starve, and cage them. There will be great punishment for all who have mistreated the animals. Thank you Jim Moran. We should all ban together and write letters to help. We should also boycott the circus and it’s sponsors, which include Chick-fil-A.
Angels taking care of the ones who can not speak up.
No more wild animals taken into captivity to perform in circuses, rodeos, zoos, etc. Wild animals belong in the wild, not in a place where they get cruel and abusive treatment!
Please stop using animals for entertainment. We abuse them enough !!!