LA Bans the Use of Wild Animals for Entertainment
Wild animals including elephants, giraffes, and lions, will no longer be forced to perform tricks, give rides, or participate as party props.
The Los Angeles City Council has voted to ban the use of exotic animals for entertainment purposes.
The legislation will prevent wild animals including elephants, giraffes, and lions, from being forced to perform tricks, give rides, or participate as party props in Los Angeles.
Exotic animals being brought to extravagant house parties has been an issue for many years, according to councilmember David Ryu, who has supported the ban since 2016.
“The issue of wild, exotic, and even dangerous animals being used for entertainment came to our doorstep four years ago, when a baby giraffe and elephant were being marched up the Hollywood Hills for a house party,” Councilmember Ryu said in a press release.
“It is time that the City of Los Angeles makes absolutely clear that this abuse of wild animals is shameful, and we will not stand for it.”
Last year, the state of California banned the use of wild and exotic animals in circuses. Now, the new bill will strengthen California’s Circus Cruelty Prevention Act by extending protection to wild animals used for a broader range of entertainment purposes.
The new law is strongly supported by many advocacy groups, including Animal Defenders International, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), which rescues and cares for animals retired from the entertainment industry.
Say No to Animal “Entertainment”
From circuses to marine parks, animals are stripped of their freedoms and ability to exhibit natural behaviors, to instead be used for entertainment purposes all across the world. According to animal rights activists, tourists, often seduced by the opportunity of a selfie, or an “experience”, willingly prop up this industry by creating the demand.
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