L.A. Hearing on Draft Application and Permit Requirements for Circuses, Animal Acts and Exhibitions

Title:
L.A. Hearing on Draft Application and Permit Requirements for Circuses, Animal Acts and Exhibitions

Description:
WATCH IN HQ (let pre-upload) April 6th, 2009 Los Angeles Public hearing on the Draft Application and Permit Requirements for Circuses, Animal Acts, and Exhibitions BACKGROUND Last year, Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) established the first comprehensive permit requirements for animals used in entertainment, which hold exhibitors accountable for animal care and public safety. It was because of these requirements that In Defense of Animals was able to help oust a notorious elephant trainer from Los Angeles, based on his documented history of abuse and negligence. However, shortly after these landmark actions the circus industry heavily pressured City Hall, resulting in weakened interim requirements. Now, LAAS is presenting new, and even weaker, draft requirements for review and comment by the circus industry, animal trainers, and the humane community. (Draft recommendations are attached.) Don't allow LAAS to capitulate to those who profit from animal suffering! LAAS is inviting the public to submit comments and testimony on the draft permit requirements at a meeting that is sure to be heavily attended by the circus industry and others who exploit animals for profit. Please help ensure that Los Angeles has the strongest possible permit requirements to better protect the animals and the public. (There will not be a vote that evening.) It is important to demonstrate that compassionate citizens and members of the humane community far outnumber animal abusing profiteers. Expected at the meeting are Ringling Bros. Circus (currently the subject of a federal lawsuit over its inhumane treatment of elephants), Have Trunk Will Travel (who rented out the elephant Tai for such publicity stunts as the L.A. art event where she was fully body-painted and the Discovery Science Center sideshow act where she was to be placed in a giant soap bubble), and animal trainers who provide wild animals for TV, film and special events. It is critical that LAAS establish the strongest possible permit requirements in order to better protect animals used in entertainment and to ensure public safety. However, the new draft of the permit requirements does little to change the current status of animals used in circuses and animal acts and effectively weakens the interim requirements currently in place. Animal exhibitors with documented histories of abuse, negligence, and repeated Animal Welfare Act violations should not be allowed to perform and profit in Los Angeles. As it stands, the current draft requirements do not achieve this. Exhibitors should be required to file important documentation with the City of L.A., especially that which directly affects animal health and human safety, including animal escape plans, emergency veterinary care plans, and records of USDA violations or other legal actions. LAAS must be as transparent as possible in the permitting process for animal exhibitors. Los Angeles cannot claim to be a truly humane city without potent and progressive permit requirements for animals used in circuses and animal acts. Powerful permit requirements will help better protect all animals exploited in circuses and exhibitions, from lions and elephants to horses and dogs. Please be a voice and a presence for the animals! Write your concerns to: Los Angeles Animal Services 221 N. Figueroa #500 Los Angeles, California 90012 Email: Ed.Boks@lacity.org Fax: 213 482-9511 http://www.laanimalservices.com/serv_permits.htm

Author:
DoggyTV

Tags:
LAAS, Los, Angeles, Department, of, Animal, Services, LA, City, Council, Commissioners, permit, permits, exhibition, circus, zoo, Ringling, Brothers, elephant, bull, hook, lion, tiger, DoggyTV,