Posted: | May 16, 2019 10:27 AM |
---|---|
From: | Senator Daylin Leach |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Ban on Traveling Animal Exhibitions |
Soon I will reintroduce legislation to ban the display of animals in traveling exhibitions. Though a lack of consumer demand and activism by animal rights advocates have pressured major circus acts to end the practice, smaller companies still use animals in their traveling shows. The circumstances of travel and performance make it impossible for the animals to be given the environment and facilities they require to maintain a healthy life. Mobile housing units are often cramped to the point of being unhealthy. Animals are also denied social interactions, sufficient exercise, and proper nutrition. This bill would largely end the cruel practice of forcing animals to endure grueling travel and on-demand performance for the sake of our entertainment. Specifically, it would ban the for-profit display of any animal that traveled in a mobile housing facility in the 15 days preceding the display. It would provide exemptions for zoos, educational outreach programs, and research activities. Last session this proposal was Senate Bill 248 and was cosponsored by Senator Haywood. Please join me in supporting this important legislation. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. |
Introduced as SB928