Mayor in Pittsburgh, PA, Bans Pain-Inflicting Devices Used on Exotic Or Wild Animals - National Humane Education Society

Paws Up!
January 11, 2018

To Mayor Bill Peduto in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for passing an ordinance to help protect the well-being of wild or exotic animals who are in the care of humans.

Dancing bears, lions jumping through flaming hoops, and elephants parading around on their hind legs are just some of the scenes witnessed by onlookers at animal entertainment venues. The enticement to see these exotic or wild animals can be overwhelming, but we should think about how utterly foreign these behaviors are for them. An elephant  spends 75% of her day foraging for food. Tools used to keep wild animal under control, and tools used to goad them into tricks are not used in the animal’s best interest. What gives humans the right to do that?  Instead of exploiting animals, humans can embrace their role as caretakers of these exquisite animals by respecting their “wildness” and observing them from afar in their natural environments. 

According to a recent news article, Pittsburgh council members recently voted on legislation that would help protect exotic or wild animals from harm when under the supervision of humans. City Mayor Bill Peduto signed the legislation on December 28, 2017.  The ordinance states, “It shall be unlawful for any person to use a bullhook, electric prod, shocking device, hacksaw, ankus, ankusha, elephant goad, elephant hook, baseball bat, axe handle, pitchfork, whip, stick, muzzle or any other device or instrument(s) which is capable of inflicting pain, intimidating or threatening pain or mimicking any such device or instrument, for the purpose of training or controlling the behavior of a Wild or Exotic Animal in the City of Pittsburgh.”  Anyone found guilty may face a fine up to $1,000 and 30 days in jail for each offense.

To learn more about the inhumane treatment of animals in entertainment venues, please download our free brochure here.

Take Action:  Pittsburgh residents, thank Mayor Bill Peduto for signing this ordinance that is a step in the right direction to help decrease exotic or wild animal performances in circus acts and other forms of animal entertainment .  See Mayor Bill Peduto’s address below:

Office of Mayor William Peduto
414 Grant Street, 5th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219