Washington, D.C. — Born Free USA, a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, will testify tomorrow in support of a bill to ban the use of bullhooks on elephants in traveling shows in Rhode Island. House Bill 8197, introduced by Representatives Serpa, O’Brien, Shekarchi, Canario, and Ruggiero, will be heard in the House Committee on Judiciary.[teaserbreak]
This important legislation would prohibit anyone from using a bullhook, ankus, baseball bat, axe handle, pitchfork, or other device designed to inflict pain for the purpose of training or controlling the behavior of an elephant in a traveling show. A bullhook is a long, thick pole with a sharp metal hook attached to the end, used to inflict pain as negative reinforcement. It is a common, yet highly notorious weapon in the elephant trainer’s arsenal.
According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA, “No other state has yet passed a ban on bullhooks. Rhode Island has the opportunity to be a powerful leader on this issue. The public has become increasingly concerned about the welfare of performing animals, and this is a chance for the state to enact humane legislation consistent with those concerns. Bullhooks and other weapons used for training produce unimaginable physical and mental anguish, and thus are diametrically opposed to the very concept of ‘family fun’ at a circus.”
“The tough skin of elephants is a misconception, and sharp implements can do severe damage to their thick but highly sensitive skin. Trainers often embed the bullhook into the soft tissue behind the ears, inside the ear or mouth, under the trunk and chin, in the armpit area, on the back of the legs, in and around the anus, and in tender spots around the feet,” explains Roberts.
The fear the bullhook instills in elephants means they will, under duress, do everything possible to escape further blows. Its cruel power to implement negative reinforcement techniques explains why the bullhook is a ubiquitous weapon for circus trainers. If an elephant can avoid painful jabs by obeying the commands of their trainers and performing unnatural tricks, then that is what the elephant will do.
“I applaud Representative Serpa and the other sponsors for introducing this much-needed legislation,” says Roberts. “Born Free USA hopes that the committee will follow their lead and vote to ban an archaic, barbaric weapon that has no place in entertainment.”
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”: the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son, Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, TheRodiCompany@gmail.com