Pittsburgh, PA, Considers Ban on Exotic Animal Entertainment - National Humane Education Society

Paws Up!

To the City Council of Pittsburgh, PA, For Considering Ban on Circus Animals

Circus animals have long embodied the use of exotic animals in entertainment. An exotic animal is defined as any wild (non-domesticated) that originated in another geographic area or continent.  Exotic animals commonly used in circuses and roadside zoos include Asian elephants, tigers, and chimpanzees. While there has been plenty of back and forth argument over the years regarding whether or not these animals are violently abused in circuses, the fact remains that these are wild animals. Many of these species are highly intelligent, and have retained their wild instincts to hunt (tigers), explore (chimpanzees) and form tightly knit social groups (elephants). Expression of these instincts in a captive, mobile environment, half a world away from their native habits simply isn’t possible. These animals are not like dogs, raised and selectively bred for centuries to live alongside and cooperate with humans. These are wild animals, and they deserve to live as such.

In observation of this fact, many cities around the United States are banning the display of exotic animal species for the purpose of for-profit amusement. The latest city to consider an ordinance to do just that, is the city of Pittsburgh, PA.

Take action. Contact the city council of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and encourage them to vote for an ordinance that would ban the use of exotic animals for entertainment.