PAWS Celebrates California Ban on Elephant Bullhooks
State Becomes Second in Nation
to Outlaw Inhumane Weapon
Highlights:
- Governor Brown today signed a law to ban elephant bullhooks.
- The bullhook is an inherently abusive weapon used to control elephants.
- PAWS and progressive elephant managers shun this cruel device, while providing a full range of husbandry and veterinary care.
San Andreas, Calif. (August 29, 2016) - The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), which cares for eight elephants at its ARK 2000 sanctuary in San Andreas, California, is celebrating after Governor Jerry Brown today signed SB 1062 into law, banning elephant bullhooks. Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) sponsored the bill, which makes California the second state to adopt a bullhook ban, after Rhode Island.
"PAWS applauds Governor Brown for signing SB 1062 into law and thanks Senator Ricardo Lara for his leadership and great compassion for elephants," said PAWS President Ed Stewart. "We are proud to have been a co-sponsor of this important law that will ensure these highly intelligent, sensitive and self-aware animals get the respect and protection they deserve."
The bullhook is a weapon resembling a fireplace poker, with a sharp steel tip and hook at the end, that is used to dig into an elephant's surprisingly sensitive skin. Handlers sharply strike, hook, and jab elephants with the bullhook to maintain control of the large animals, sometimes causing puncture wounds and lacerations. The bullhook is commonly used in circuses, elephant rides and other "entertainment."
"The bullhook has only one use, which is to control elephants through fear and pain," said Stewart. "There simply is no place for this cruel and archaic weapon in modern elephant management."
PAWS has worked with elephants for more than 30 years, including bulls and highly dangerous elephants, and never used a bullhook. Keepers rely on positive reinforcement training, food treats and praise to train and manage the sanctuary's elephants, providing a full range of husbandry and veterinary care. In California, no AZA-accredited zoo uses bullhooks.
Prior to SB 1062, PAWS played a key role in passing bullhook bans in Los Angeles and Oakland, and has been active in the passage of ordinances in other major cities, the Rhode Island state ban, and San Francisco's prohibition on the use of performing wild animals. Today, more than 50 jurisdictions across the U.S. have measures restricting the use of performing wild animals, including bullhook bans.
"The California ban on bullhooks is one more powerful indicator that public attitudes about the treatment and use of elephants in circuses, rides and traveling shows are rapidly changing," Stewart stated. "This is the beginning of the end for the use of elephants and other wild animals in entertainment."
The California law will go into effect January 1, 2018. PAWS co-sponsored SB 1062 together with the Oakland Zoo and The Humane Society of the United States.
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