Circus elephants just scored a major victory with an announcement that Ringling Bros. will be retiring its performers, but big cats and other wild animals left behind may get their own victory in Pennsylvania if a state senator can get them banned.
Pennsylvania State Senator Daylin Leach has promised to act on behalf of these animals by introducing legislation that will ban their use in traveling exhibitions, stating:
Elephants are not the only circus animals that are suffering. To maximize profit, traveling exhibitions use grueling itineraries that force all of their animals to endure cramped living quarters, limited social interaction, and perpetual stress. Circuses hide this suffering from audiences, who witness only the power and grace of these magnificent animals. The secret is out. The public will not tolerate this unconscionable cruelty any longer.
While their are a growing number of local and state regulations that ban or restrict the use of wild and exotic animals, a statewide ban would send a strong message to companies that continue to use wild animals as performers that it is no longer acceptable.
Please sign the petition urging Pennsylvania lawmakers to support Senator Leach's efforts to end the use of wild animals in circuses.
As someone who is concerned with animal welfare, I am writing to ask you to support and co-sponsor upcoming legislation sponsored by Senator Dayton Leach that will ban the use of wild animals in traveling exhibitions.
For wild animals used in traveling circuses and other shows, life is restricted to confinement in barren enclosures and long journeys in between being used as performers for profit and entertainment.
Both research and undercover investigations have exposed not only the problems inherent with keeping animals this way, but also the heartbreaking and violent abuses they're exposed to behind the scenes that range from having food withheld to being beaten and blatantly mistreated.
While wild animals have been used in circuses for decades, we know so much more about what these animals need to be physically and psychologically healthy and that circuses can never meet these needs even with the best of intentions. It's also inexcusable to see endangered species being continually exploited for our fleeting amusement.
Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus' recent announcement that it would be retiring its elephant performers is a wonderful indication that the public is no longer willing to tolerate the use of some of the world's most magnificent animals in circuses.
I sincerely hope you will support Senator Leach's efforts to ban the use of wild animals for our entertainment.
