Note: This important bill will help ALL elephants in the State of California. It will ban bullhooks and chaining (except for veterinary procedures), which would be a huge feat. These inhumane methods of control affect elephants in circuses and zoos and those used for elephant rides. Other provisions for elephants in zoos may not seem as dramatic, but they are necessary and are a move in the right direction. Please support this bill!
The Elephant Protection Act, AB 777, authored by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, will make it a misdemeanor to use or be in the possession of a bullhook or similar device, or chains, while present around an elephant. In addition, this bill requires all stationary facilities, such as zoos that house elephants, to meet certain conditions. These conditions involve providing enrichment, proper substrate, a watering hole, and proof that the elephant is walking an average of 5 miles a day. These conditions only apply if the facility enlarges and reconstructs their exhibit. You can read the bill here: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0751-0800/ab_777_bill_20070222_introduced.html)
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Please do the following to ensure that this important bill is passed:
1. Please contact your state Assemblymember and urge him/her to support AB 777. See talking points below to help create your communication.
If you do not know the name of your Assemblymember, or need his/her contact information, visit www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html Enter your zip code and press "search" and you will be given the name and contact information of your Assemblymember.
Or you can call the Government Information Hotline at 916-322-9900 and give the operator your address ‹ the operator will tell you the name of your Assemblymember. You can also leave your voice message for him/her through the operator.
Letters may be addressed to:
The Honorable [full name of Assemblymember]
State Capitol
PO Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249
2. This bill will be heard before the Assembly Public Safety Committee shortly. Stay tuned for more details about the hearing. If your Assemblymember is on the Committee (see list below, with So. Cal. districts highlighted) it is very important that you call, email or fax him or her a letter of support. Remember they only want to hear from people in their districts! (Have a friend who may live in one of those districts? Send this alert along!)
Talking Points:
… The bullhook is the most common implement or device used to train, punish, and control elephants. Both ends of the bullhook are used to inflict pain. Forceful use of the bullhook in training sessions is common practice in order to render elephants submissive and to train elephants to perform tricks. The bullhook is used as an intimidation device once elephant trainers are in view of the public. Elephants obey the bullhook as a "guide" because they recognize it as a source of pain.
… Opponents to this bill may call the bullhook a "guide", an "extension of the trainer¹s arm", and liken it to the "reins for a horse" or the "leash for a dog". However, if an owner of a dog were to use a bullhook to control his/her dog it would be considered animal abuse in every state.
… Chaining is one of the most common methods used to confine elephants in captivity. It severely restricts an elephant¹s movements, eliminating its ability to lie down, walk, or socialize with other elephants. The severity of these restrictions can result in neurotic psychological behavior, physical injury, and even the death of captive elephants.
… Elephants at stationary facilities stand on inappropriate substrates consisting mainly of concrete, gravel, sand, or other material that is detrimental to the health of the elephant. In addition, they are denied space which denies them appropriate exercise.
… Lack of exercise and poor substrates lead to a variety of physical and psychological problems, including arthritis, recurring foot infections and abscesses, obesity, digestive disorders, and stereotypic/neurotic behaviors such as swaying, pacing, and head-bobbing. These conditions can lead to premature death in captive elephants.
Assembly Public Safety Committee Members:
Jose Solorio, Chair (Dem-69) - ANAHEIM
(916) 319-2069
Assemblymember.solorio@assembly.ca.gov
Greg Aghazarian, Vice Chair (Rep-26) - STOCKTON AREA
(916) 319-2026
Assemblymember.aghazarian@assembly.ca.gov
Joel Anderson (Rep-77) - SAN DIEGO AREA
(916) 319-2077
Assemblymember.Anderson@assembly.ca.gov
Hector De La Torre (Dem-50) - SOUTH GATE/BELL GARDENS AREA
(916) 319-2050
Assemblymember.DeLaTorre@assembly.ca.gov
Mark Leno (Dem-13) - SAN FRANCISCO AREA
(916) 319-2013
Assemblymember.leno@assembly.ca.gov
Fiona Ma (Dem-12) - SAN FRANCISCO AREA
(916) 319-2012
Assemblymember.Ma@assembly.ca.gov
Anthony J. Portantino (Dem-44) - PASADENA
(916) 319-2044
Assemblymember.Portantino@assembly.ca.gov
Have questions or need more information? click here (link to legislation@api4animals.org)
