Rock legend Joan Jett is appealing to Rhode Island lawmakers to ban trainers from using the bullhook, a painful steel hook similar to a fireplace poker used to control performing elephants. Though an elephant's skin appears uniformly tough, it is paper-thin around the ears, mouth and anus, and trainers often imbed the hook in these areas, causing significant pain.
Los Angeles banned the bullhook in 2013, and over 35 other jurisdictions in the U.S. currently ban the bullhook and/or restrict the use of elephants in travelling shows. Following Los Angeles' ban, the L.A. Shriners decided not to use elephants in their circuses after 88 years, probably because they are difficult to control without bullhooks. Clearly, banning the cruel tool in Rhode Island would improve the lives of elephants in the state.
Please sign the petition to ban the bullhook in Rhode Island!
We, the undersigned, support Joan Jett's efforts to ban Rhode Island animal trainers from using the bullhook, a painful steel hook similar to a fireplace poker used to control performing elephants. Though an elephant's skin appears uniformly tough, it is paper-thin around the ears, mouth and anus, and trainers often imbed the hook in these areas, causing significant pain.
Los Angeles banned the bullhook in 2013, and over 35 other jurisdictions in the U.S. currently ban the bullhook and/or restrict the use of elephants in travelling shows. Following Los Angeles' ban, the L.A. Shriners decided not to use elephants in their circuses after 88 years, probably because they are difficult to control without bullhooks. Clearly, banning the cruel tool in Rhode Island would improve the lives of elephants in the state.
We respectfully urge you to make the humane choice and ban the use of the bullhook in your state. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
