Bullhook, Image from PETA There was a victory yesterday, here in Los Angeles, when the City Council banned the use of the bullhook, a tool to train Elephants. It took under cover videos from PETA, of elephants being beaten with bullhooks to help sway this decision. This tool is used to pierce the thinnest areas of skin, mouth and ears on the elephant to 'train' it and keep it from moving in an unwanted direction and ultimately frighten the animal into submission. I won't torture you with video's and images of elephant's being beaten, it was hard enough for me to get through it. Should you be so inclined to view them yourself, they are easy enough to find, just prepare yourself it is difficult to watch. Currently this ban only affects Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus, they are the only circus that brings animals to their show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Unfortunately, there is a delay to the ban it will not be fully implemented until 2017. "The delayed ban allows local workers dependent on Ringling Bros.’ annual show to find replacement work, officials said," reported the Daily News.
Stephen Payne, a spokesperson of Field Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros. Circus, told KNX1070, “We’ve been taking care of exotic animals, including Asian elephants, for almost 144 years. We really, really are proud of the animal care we provide. Sadly, this ordinance before the City Council we feel is just being driven by a small, vocal group of animal rights activists who are against animals and entertainment whether they’re elephants or any other animal,” He then stated, “Really what this bill does is it bans the use of the guide for our circus. We’ll be unable to bring Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey back to the city of Los Angeles.” An editorial in the Los Angeles Times stated, "This is a smart and humane measure and should be adopted, if the circus can't come to town without bullhooks, then it shouldn't come." Agreed!
So what does this mean for the city as far as revenue? Well, Mr. Payne had an answer for that and as reported by the Daily News the total loss to L.A.'s overall economy would be about $1 million dollars and thousands lost in permits and fees. In my opinion, that means a little more work on the city's side and the entertainment side. Time to start depending on your talent Ringling.
So what's the next step for Animal Activists and the Animals? It is to promote a ban on exotic animals in the circus. So let's wish them luck. If it can be done in countries and cities around the world than we can do it here. The news broke yesterday that on the 'Other Side of the Pond' it was confirmed that the Government ministers passed a ban on the use of all wild animals in circuses in England by the end of 2015. That's a BIG VICTORY! We're on our way people.
Unfortunately, there is a delay to the ban it will not be fully implemented until 2017. "The delayed ban allows local workers dependent on Ringling Bros.’ annual show to find replacement work, officials said," reported the Daily News.
Stephen Payne, a spokesperson of Field Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros. Circus, told KNX1070, “We’ve been taking care of exotic animals, including Asian elephants, for almost 144 years. We really, really are proud of the animal care we provide. Sadly, this ordinance before the City Council we feel is just being driven by a small, vocal group of animal rights activists who are against animals and entertainment whether they’re elephants or any other animal,” He then stated, “Really what this bill does is it bans the use of the guide for our circus. We’ll be unable to bring Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey back to the city of Los Angeles.” An editorial in the Los Angeles Times stated, "This is a smart and humane measure and should be adopted, if the circus can't come to town without bullhooks, then it shouldn't come." Agreed!
So what does this mean for the city as far as revenue? Well, Mr. Payne had an answer for that and as reported by the Daily News the total loss to L.A.'s overall economy would be about $1 million dollars and thousands lost in permits and fees. In my opinion, that means a little more work on the city's side and the entertainment side. Time to start depending on your talent Ringling.
So what's the next step for Animal Activists and the Animals? It is to promote a ban on exotic animals in the circus. So let's wish them luck. If it can be done in countries and cities around the world than we can do it here. The news broke yesterday that on the 'Other Side of the Pond' it was confirmed that the Government ministers passed a ban on the use of all wild animals in circuses in England by the end of 2015. That's a BIG VICTORY! We're on our way people.
RSS Feed