City Council to Hear Bill on Banning Circus Animals in NYC

FINANCIAL DISTRICT, NY – The City Council has agreed to hear out a bill that would ban circus animals in New York City after animal rights advocates have tried to years to get the bill passed. The new bill, sponsored by Council Member Rosie Mendez, would "prohibit the display or exhibition of many wild or exotic animals, with exceptions for accredited zoos, research facilities, religious ceremonies or celebrations, and educational or conservation-related programs or presentations."

Supporters of the bill say circus animals are exploited for entertainment purposes, often abused and torn from their families at a young age for the show. Opponents of the bill say the circus treats its animals fairly, and if circus animals were outlawed, hundreds of jobs would be lost.

"After 11+ years of activism and the leadership and perseverance of NYC Council Member Rosie Mendez, City Hall will FINALLY hold a hearing on the bill to ban the use of wild animals in the circus," wrote NYCLASS, the local animal rights organization that has championed the circus animals issue for years. "Animal friendly Chelsea lawmaker Corey Johnson, Chair of the Council's Health Committee, has scheduled a hearing."

NYCLASS has also tried several times in the past to ban horse carriage rides in the city but was unsuccessful.

But circus representatives argue they treat their animals well. "[It] does nothing to advance animal welfare and would deny circus fans the opportunity to see the amazing bond that exists between our human and animal performers," Stephen Payne, vice president of corporate communications for Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros., told the New York Daily News.

"We are very proud of the high-level of care we provide for all our animals," he said.

The City Council hearing on the bill, which currently has nine backers, is set for Oct. 20.

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