Massive statewide ban looms for several animals

The use of wild animals for human entertainment is a polarizing topic, to say the least. In February, some legislation moved a step closer to reality, which would see a nationwide ban on wild animals in traveling circuses.

An Act Relating to the Use of Elephants, Big Cats, Primates, Giraffes and Bears in Traveling Exhibitions and Shows ( S.2197/ S.2189/ H.3245), known as the ‘Circus Bill’, would ban the use of certain wild animals in circuses and traveling shows in the Commonwealth. It would not affect physical facilities.

The circus was a big deal here in western Massachusetts until the cries from animal rights activists got really loud. The city of Dalton hosted the Kelly Miller Circus every year until late 2010, when things changed.

World opinion on the use of wild animals in circuses has changed significantly in recent years against the use of animals in performances. Mexico banned the practice last month, joining much of Europe and Central and South America in adding the law to the books. -berkshireeagle.com

Circus operators have sworn over the years that the animals are treated with respect, but numerous violations have proven otherwise. Traveling is hard for the animals, it is an unnatural life and the tricks they perform are frightening for them.

Eight states and nearly 150 other localities in 37 states have already passed various restrictions governing the use of wild animals in circuses and traveling shows – including fourteen municipalities in Massachusetts: Amherst, Braintree, Cambridge, Mendon, Northampton, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Provincetown, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Topsfield, Weymouth and Wilmington. -aldf.org

The super-popular Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus shut down in 2017 amid overwhelming public outcry in defense of the animals, but reopened in 2023 with their non-animal version.

But while some have evolved in the industry, there are others, such as Shriner circuses, Carden Circus, Loomis Bros. Circus and Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, which continue to use wildlife. At many county and state fairs and festivals, tigers, lions, bears and sea lions are still forced to perform circus tricks. -humanesociety.org