On Tuesday, March 10, State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) announced legislation designed to ban the use of animals in traveling circuses.
Leach explained his proposal to his Senate colleagues in a co-sponsorship memo, which is attached.
Leach’s statement on his new proposal:
“In the past few years, the public learned about the suffering endured by circus elephants. The outcry, including my bill to ban the use of bullhooks on elephants, was so great that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus decided to phase out the use of elephants in its shows.
Elephants are not the only circus animals that are suffering. To maximize profit, traveling exhibitions use grueling itineraries that force all of their animals to endure cramped living quarters, limited social interaction, and perpetual stress. Circuses hide this suffering from audiences, who witness only the power and grace of these magnificent animals. The secret is out. The public will not tolerate this unconscionable cruelty any longer.”
Senator Daylin Leach represents the 17th Senatorial District, which includes parts of Montgomery County and Delaware County. He is also the Democratic Chairperson of the Senate Judiciary Committee.