A Bill to Ban Wild Animals in Circuses (New York)
A.4005-A/S.4363-A
This New York bill would prohibit the use of certain wild animals in circuses or traveling animal acts throughout the state, including big cats, bears, nonhuman primates, kangaroos, and wallabies.
Status
The Animal Legal Defense Fund supports this bill.
Sponsors: Senators Nathalia Fernandez (D-34), Cordell Cleare (D-30), Andrew Gounardes (D-26), Pete Harckham (D-40), Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-47), and Monica R. Martinez (D-4), and Assemblymembers Deborah Glick (D-66), Alex Bores (D-77), Tony Simone (D-75), Grace Lee (D-65), Chris Burdick (D-93), Linda Rosenthal (D-67), Fred Thiele (D-1), Harvey Epstein (D-74), Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (D-34), Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-81), Jo Anne Simon (D-52), Phil Steck (D-110), Maritza Davila (D-53), and Kenny Burgos (D-85)
Introduction Date:
Assembly: February 8, 2023
Senate: February 7, 2023
A bill being considered in the New York Legislature, A.4005-A/S.4363-A, would prohibit the use of certain wild animals in circuses or traveling animal acts in the state, including big cats, bears, nonhuman primates, kangaroos, and wallabies.
Animals used for entertainment lead lives of suffering and indignity. Travel, confinement, and being forced to perform unnatural and sometimes painful tricks deprive wild animals of anything that might satisfy their complex physical, behavioral, and emotional needs.
Laws protecting various species of wild animals from being forced to perform in traveling shows have been enacted in several U.S. states, including California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, and New Jersey.
Why is this legislation important?
Stronger legal protections are needed for captive wild animals in New York. These animals have few legal protections, and even those few protections are not adequately enforced. When wild animals are used in traveling shows and circuses, there is no way to ensure the safety of the animals or the public. Numerous incidents in which animals have escaped cages or bolted from their handlers have led to injury and even death for animals and people.
New York: Help Protect Animals from Inhumane Circuses and Traveling Acts
A bill to ban the use of certain wild animals in circuses or traveling animal acts in the state, including big cats, bears, nonhuman primates, kangaroos, and wallabies. Urge your state legislators to support this important bill today!
For more information about animal protection legislation in New York and opportunities to take action for animals, visit aldf.org/newyork.
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