The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously on April 25, 2017 to ban the use of wild or exotic animals for entertainment or amusement, passing a motion by Council member David Ryu that affects circuses, other wild animal shows, displays in public areas such as sidewalks and parks, and rentals for parties or events. Los Angeles becomes the largest municipality in the United States to take such action.
I am so very thankful to the City Council for this ban! I can only hope all cities across the country – and the world – follow in Los Angeles’ footsteps.
Animals aren’t actors, spectacles to be imprisoned and gawked at, or circus clowns. Yet thousands of these animals are forced to perform confusing and silly tricks by using physical punishment such as hitting them with bull hooks or tormenting them with electrical prods. These poor animals are hauled across the country in cramped and airless railroad boxcars or tractor-trailer trucks, kept chained or caged in barren, mind-numbing, filthy enclosures, and separated from their families and friends, all for the sake of human “entertainment.” Most of these animals live shortened life spans; many die still in chains.
Now – at least in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and several counties in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Idaho, and North Carolina – this sort of animal abuse won’t be allowed to continue. That’s a huge step in the right direction!
I would be grateful if all who read this post, even those who don’t live in L.A., could take a moment to email the members of the Los Angeles City Council to thank them for their vote and urge them to follow up by drafting the strongest possible ordinance. Feel free to copy mine, or use your own words. Email addresses are listed at the bottom of this post. Thank you!
Dear Council Member,
Thank you for your courage and compassion in voting in favor of the ban on using wild or exotic animals for entertainment in the City of Los Angeles. I urge you and the rest of the Council to draft and approve the strongest and most widely-reaching ordinance to effect this ban.
L.A. City Council members:
David Ryu:
councilmember.ryu@lacity.org
Nury Martinez:
councilmember.martinez@lacity.org
Paul Krekorian:
councilmember.krekorian@lacity.org
Bob Blumenfield:
councilmember.blumenfield@lacity.org
Paul Koretz:
councilmember.koretz@lacity.org
Marqueece Harris-Dawson:
councilmember.harris-dawson@lacity.org
Curren D. Price, Jr.:
councilmember.price@lacity.org
Herb J. Wesson, Jr.:
councilmember.wesson@lacity.org
Mike Bonin:
councilmember.bonin@lacity.org
Mitchell Englander:
councilmember.englander@lacity.org
Mitch O’Farrell:
councilmember.ofarrell@lacity.org
Jose Huizar:
councilmember.huizar@lacity.org
Joe Buscaino:
councilmember.buscaino@lacity.org
Peace for ALL the animals with whom we share the planet!