The Massachusetts House of Representatives recently made a significant move towards protecting wild animals by unanimously passing An Act prohibiting the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears in traveling exhibits and shows (H.4915). This bipartisan legislation, which was first filed 23 years ago, aims to prevent the suffering of wild animals during transport and exhibition, as well as the use of abusive training techniques such as extreme confinement, bullhooks, whips, and electric prods. These practices are commonly associated with the entertainment industry’s use of dangerous wild animals, posing risks to both the animals themselves and the public.
The urgency for this legislation is underscored by the alarming number of incidents involving wild animals used in traveling shows in the United States. Since 1990, there have been nearly 160 dangerous incidents involving big cats, bears, elephants, and primates, resulting in ten adult deaths, 136 adult injuries, and 73 injuries to children. These incidents have included tragic events such as elephants being gunned down in city streets and children being injured in bear encounters. Additionally, spectators have witnessed trainers being mauled by big cats and individuals being harmed by primates like lemurs, chimpanzees, capuchins, and baboons used in traveling shows.
Chair Carole Fiola (D-Fall River) and House Minority Leader Bradley Jones (R-North Reading) sponsored this legislation with the support of over 70 House members. Chair Fiola emphasized the overwhelming public sentiment against the use of wild animals in entertainment and the need for significant change to ensure the humane treatment of animals. House Minority Leader Jones highlighted the lack of adequate federal protection for these animals, emphasizing the importance of state and municipal action to end the cruel treatment of animals in circuses and traveling shows.
State Representative Mindy Domb (D-Amherst), the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development, noted the shift in consumer preferences away from the use of wild animals in circus shows. She emphasized the importance of representing constituents‘ interests in promoting compassion, kindness, and reducing the risk of harm to both the public and animals.
Preyel Patel, the Massachusetts state director for the Humane Society of the United States, commended the passage of this legislation after years of advocacy to end the cruel treatment of wild animals in circus acts. The bill sponsors and other advocates demonstrated empathy and understanding of the suffering endured by animals used for entertainment, highlighting the importance of saving these animals from a lifetime of exploitation.
If this legislation becomes law, Massachusetts will join ten other states that have implemented restrictions on the use of wild animals in traveling exhibits and shows. The state already has a strong precedent for enacting such policies locally, with fifteen municipalities in Massachusetts having banned wild animals in traveling acts. These localities include Northampton, Amherst, Wilmington, Mendon, Braintree, Cambridge, Quincy, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Provincetown, Revere, Somerville, Topsfield, Weymouth, and Brookline.
The bill will now move to the Senate for further consideration, marking a significant step towards protecting wild animals from exploitation and abuse in the entertainment industry.
