The Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA) was introduced to Congress yesterday in an effort to restrict the use of exotic and wild animals in traveling circuses. The bill sponsored by Virginia Democratic Congressman James Moran does not impact private ownership of exotic animals or permanent facilities such as zoos and aquariums. Both the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and the Animal Defenders International (ADI) group included evidence of animal abuse in circuses they discovered in the presentation to federal legislators.
My Ohio Twitter followers shared their thoughts on the TEAPA Act and the health and welfare of exotic animals via email and instant messaging.
* “I think the TEAPA Act is a very positive step in the right direction. The time for circuses traveling around the country with animals crammed in small cages and trailers has long since passed. Animal lovers can enjoy seeing and learning about lions, tigers, bears and elephants at zoos and sanctuaries and not promote the continued cruel training methods used by circus operators.” — Luke Bishop, Ohio State University student, Columbus.
* “Typically I am not in favor of federal laws impacting state’s rights, but I do support the TEAPA Act. My brother is a local law enforcement officer and his department has virtually no control of the wretched little circus which comes to our area each year. By the time they notify the humane society about a problem and they come to investigate, the group has moved on into another jurisdiction.” — Megan Hensler, nurse, Logan.
* “Even though there are reputable traveling circuses like Ringling Brothers, they are few and far between. Even the good organizations keep animals in unnatural settings and force them into entertainment training which offers no positive benefits to the exotic pets or wild animals. Parents should take their children to see animals in a more natural and humane setting like at a refuge or sanctuary.”– Don Messer, architect, Cincinnati.
* “I do not approve of circuses either traveling or permanent, but do not feel a federal law is justified. Such laws fly in the face of state’s rights and the right to home rule. I would applaud such an act being approved by my state to protect the animals and the public from escapes and injury during circus shows.”– Tricia Newton, small business owner, Marysville.
* “Circus animals have been treated inhumanely for decades. It is well past time that a law limiting the rights of owners and enhancing the rights of animals was introduced. I hope the TEAPA Act passes quickly and does not become a partisan issue.”– Nick Mitchell, Ohio University teaching assistant, Athens.
* “There is no such thing as a good circus. Ringling Brothers is not exempt from cruel training and housing tactics. Deborah Nelson of Mother Jones magazine spent an entire year investigating the major circus company and the photos and facts she shared in her article made me sick to my stomach.” — Karen Louden, secretary, Chillicothe.
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