WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez
(D-N.J.) today reintroduced the Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety
Protection Act. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation, led
by Congressmen Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.-03) and David Schweikert (R-Ariz.-06) in
the U.S. House of Representatives, would prohibit the use of exotic or wild
animals in public performances such as circuses, carnivals and parades across
the U.S.
Wild
animals used in public performances are typically subjected to small cages,
physical abuse, and poor nutrition and hygiene, which can often lead to
disease, infection, mental distress and depression.
“Abusing
animals for the sake of so-called entertainment has no place in 21st century
America. It is well-past time that Congress update our federal laws and the
Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act is our opportunity to
do just that,” said Sen.
Menendez. “I’m proud that New Jersey has led the nation on this issue but
it’s time we pass federal legislation that ensures a nationwide ban on inhumane
and barbaric animal acts.”
“As
one of the original cosponsors of Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety
Protection Act, I’m proud to support this bipartisan, bicameral bill,” said Rep. Grijalva. “At its
core, this legislation is simple. It’s about ending the inhumane practice of
using exotic or wild creatures for entertainment in traveling circuses and
other traveling acts. Traveling animal acts deprive exotic and wild animals of
their basic dignity and create a safety hazard for the public. There’s nothing
entertaining about seeing animals suffer and the vast majority of Americans
agree. It’s past time we updated our antiquated animal welfare laws and
prohibited traveling circuses from using exotic and wild animals for human
entertainment.”
The
Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act is supported by Animal
Defenders International (ADI) and the Humane Society of the United States.
“Wild
and exotic animals are intelligent, emotional, sentient beings. We can see how
animals used in traveling acts are mentally shut down because there is nothing
for them to do but lie or stand in place. This is a large part of the
psychological and behavioral damage which can be seen in these animals,” said ADI President, Jan Creamer.
“It is past time that the U.S. took action and put an end to the suffering.
Join ADI in supporting TEAPSPA, to ban the use of wild and exotic animals in
circuses and other traveling acts!”
“The
physiological and psychological suffering of wild animals in traveling shows is
real and systemic throughout the industry. Existing laws are insufficient,
partly because shows go nearly unchecked as they dash from one jurisdiction to
another,” said Sara Amundson, president of Humane Society Legislative Fund.
“It’s high time for Congress to set a national standard by passing the
Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act. We applaud Senator Menendez
and Representatives Grijalva and Schweikert for their continued leadership on
this issue.”
In
2019, New Jersey became the first state in the country to prohibit wild animals
in traveling performances. The state bill had overwhelming bipartisan support
in the state legislature. There are currently 109 partial or full bans on performing animals in jurisdictions of 34 states. The Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act would
not apply to the use of animals in zoos or aquariums; research facilities; and
certain films, television programs, or advertising. A
copy the bill text can be found HERE.
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