Massachusetts Protects Wild and Exotic Animals - National Humane Education Society
August 31, 2024
Paws Up! Governor Healey signs House Bill 4915 to decrease the suffering of wild animals used in traveling shows.
Wild animals transported for exhibition for human entertainment is banned in Massachusetts. Thankfully, dancing bears, tigers jumping through rings of fire, and elephant rides are snapshots of the past in circuses, fairs, and other traveling animal shows as communities and leaders voiced their concerns for the animals’ well-being. This collective concern stemmed from watching animals being mistreated as (1) they are forced to perform unnatural acts; (2) live in conditions that are vastly different from their natural habitats; and 3) they are prevented from performing instinctual behaviors.
The bill that Governor Healey signed on 8/8/24 had similar legislative predecessors in the wake of the death of an Asian elephant named Beluah in 2019 who resided at the Big E fair to give rides to patrons. She was owned by Commerford and Sons, a company that leases some of their animals for human entertainment. Governor Healey stated in a press release, “For years, circuses have harmed the welfare of animals for the sake of entertainment, allowing animals to suffer in poor living conditions and stressful environments. I’m thankful to the Legislature for taking the steps needed to prevent this kind of animal mistreatment in Massachusetts.” Massachusetts joins Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, California, Colorado, and Kentucky to protect the welfare of wild and exotic animals used for human entertainment.
According to the new law, elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears will be protected from any type of “performance”, any presentation, exposition, fair, animal act, circus, ride, trade show, petting zoo, carnival, parade, race or similar undertaking in which a covered animal is required to perform tricks, give rides or participate as an accompaniment or be available for the entertainment, amusement or benefit of a live audience.” The law goes into effect January 2025. Anyone who violates the new law will face a “civil penalty” of $500-$10,000 for each animal.
Our hope is that many more cities, counties, and states will consider the sentience of wild and exotic animals and pass legislation to limit their suffering and allow these beautiful creatures to live their lives free. If Beluah had never been brought into captivity, she would have had the joy of traveling 35-40 miles a day in search of food and water and living with the companionship of other elephants in a herd. If you live in a city, county, or state that still uses animals for humane entertainment, please contact your councilmember or legislator and advocate for a law to protect these sentience creatures.
Take Action: Thank Governor Healy for protecting wild and exotic animals by sending an email today.
