Born Free USA applauds the introduction of HB 996 in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. Introduced by Rep. Melissa Shusterman, this bill would ban the transport of wild animals for public performances.
Angela Grimes, acting Chief Executive Officer of Born Free USA, says:
“The use of wild animals in circuses is brutal and dangerous. Elephants, tigers, lions, and others live in cruel confinement and endure punishing abuse in an attempt to make them to perform unnatural and painful tricks for the sake of human amusement.
The harsh and violent realities of their lives under and behind the Big Top causes tremendous stress and frustration, which leads these animals to rebel against the abuse, resulting in escapes and injury to people. Born Free USA’s Exotic Animal Incidents Database catalogs hundreds of such occurrences at circuses and entertainment venues across the country.
The passage of HB 996 would represent an important step forward for animal welfare and public safety in Pennsylvania.”
Learn more about the conditions faced by animals in the circus here.