Paws Up! Senate Bill aims to prohibit the use of primates in entertainment acts in New York.
June 27, 2023
New York Senate Bill 6905, or the Primate Protection Act, would take primates out of the entertainment industry. This bill was introduced on May 15, 2023, by Senator James Skoufis. It would not only prohibit the use of primates in entertainment acts but also prohibits obtaining licenses or permits for primates to perform entertainment acts. The Primate Protection is an amendment to the Agriculture and Markets Law and the Environmental Conservation Law. Any violations of this bill would result in a fine for each violation.
The Primate Protection Act speaks up for primates used for entertainment and recognizes that they suffer from both physical and psychological harm. When primates live in these unnatural conditions and are forced to perform, their lifespan is only half as long as primates in the wild. They spend most of their lives inside trucks, trains, or trailers that resemble nothing of their natural environment. They suffer from improper diets, physical restrictions, inadequate housing, harsh training methods, and social isolation. These entertainment acts are entirely unnatural to the primates and can cause stress as well as harm.
New York would join California, Colorado, Hawaii, and New Jersey in prohibiting the use of primates in entertainment acts. Primates are commonly utilized in an entertainment act referred to as a Banana Derby. This act involves primates being chained to dogs, and they ride on their backs performing tricks and stunts in costumes. Primates do not belong in circuses, trade shows, carnivals, races, parades, or trade shows. They should not have to suffer at the expense of human entertainment. The Primate Protection Act aims to protect primates from physical and psychological harm caused by living the cruel life of a performer.
Read more about animals in entertainment here.