Tough New Law Barring Painful Devices Should Keep Abusive Circuses and Rodeos Out of City
For Immediate Release:
December 29, 2011
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Margate, Fla. -- The Margate City Commission has amended the city's anti-cruelty ordinance to include language that will make it virtually impossible for abusive traveling animal shows, including circuses and rodeos, to legally perform within the city. The new language, which was approved at the commission's meeting on December 14, states, "It shall be unlawful for any person to use painful techniques and devices, that may cause or are likely to cause, physical injury, torment or pain and suffering to animals, including but not limited to: electric prods or shocking devices; shocking spurs or rowels; flank or bucking straps or similar devices; wire tie-downs; chains used as tie-downs; whips or bull-whips (excluding riding crops); ankuses or bull-hooks, or similar devices." For raising the bar on animal-protection laws, Mayor Pam Donovan, Vice Mayor David McLean, and the Margate commissioners will receive framed Compassionate Legislator Awards and letters of appreciation from PETA.
"Because the very existence of circuses and rodeos is dependent on these cruel techniques and devices, city officials have made it clear that these animal abusers are not welcome in Margate," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "The Margate ordinance now stands as a model for compassionate cities throughout the country to follow."
Bears, elephants, tigers, and other animals do not voluntarily ride bicycles, stand on their heads, balance on balls, or jump through rings of fire—they perform through fear of punishment. Tigers are whipped, and elephants are struck and gouged with bullhooks—steel-tipped weapons that resemble fireplace pokers. Rodeos take normally tame, docile animals and terrorize and provoke them into behavior that makes them appear to be fierce and aggressive with the use of electric prods, flank or bucking straps, and spurs—all of which burn, wound, or dig into the animals' skin and sensitive tissue.
PETA's letter to Mayor Donovan is available upon request. For more information, please visit PETA's blog. Please note that PETA is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to stopping animal abuse and takes no position in support of or opposition to any political party or candidate for public office.