Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz joined state Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) and animal rights activists at a rally outside City Hall on Feb. 19 to support new state legislation that would ban the use of wild and exotic animals in traveling circuses and entertainment acts.

Actress and model Katie Cleary, founder of Peace 4 Animals, denounced the use of exotic animals for entertainment. She was joined at a City Hall rally by state Sen. Ben Hueso (left) and L.A. City Councilman Paul Koretz, as well as numerous animal rights activists. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Hueso introduced SB 313 to address what he called safety concerns for both animals and humans. Koretz, a longtime animal rights supporter, said such a law is needed to protect animals from cruel treatment and exploitation.

“Since the time when we banned the elephant bull hook in 2012 here in Los Angeles, there has been a shift of consciousness about the relationship between animal torture and entertainment dollars,” Koretz said. “This is an important next step in the effort to protect wild and exotic animals from baeing abused for entertainment purposes.”

Representatives of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Social Compassion in Legislation and Peace 4 Animals spoke at the rally and denounced the use of animals in circuses and entertainment acts. They said using animals for entertainment is unnatural.

“Seeing the world’s most endangered species under the big top, forced to perform to audiences around the world was a sad reality of centuries past, but finally the truth of circuses has been exposed. The public is now educated on the reality of how these animals are being treated because of many organizations working to end animal cruelty,” said actress and model Katie Cleary, founder of Peace 4 Animals. “The future of these threatened and endangered species is in our hands.”

“Wild and exotic animals aren’t photo props, they don’t belong on a carnival midway, and they’re not willing participants in circuses,” PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange said. “When animals are used as props for so-called entertainment, their well-being will always be sacrificed. PETA proudly supports the Circus Cruelty Prevention Act, and looks forward to its passage, setting the stage for other states to follow suit.”

Koretz and Hueso said the new law is intended to be a model for other jurisdictions and will put California on par with Hawaii and New Jersey, which have already passed similar legislation. State Legislatures in Illinois, New York and Massachusetts are also currently considering bans on using exotic animals for entertainment. California cities including West Hollywood and Pasadena have approved restrictions on the use of animals in circuses and traveling acts.

The lawmakers acknowledged that the law would be largely symbolic as the largest circuses have discontinued the use of exotic animals in performances. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, once known for its “Greatest Show on Earth” featuring tigers and elephants, permanently disbanded in 2017 after 146 years. Circus Vargas ended its use of animals in shows in 2017. Koretz and Hueso said some smaller circuses and private entertainment companies exist that still use animals but did not have names. Koretz cited Cirque du Soleil as a successful circus that does not use animals in its shows.

Los Angeles already has an ordinance banning the use of exotic animals in entertainment shows. The passage of that ordinance was spearheaded by Councilman David Ryu in 2017 to address exotic animals being used at parties in the Hollywood Hills, including elephants and giraffes.

“Wild and exotic animals have a long history of being exploited for public and private entertainment. Treating animals in this manner has taught generations of people that it is okay to view wild and exotic animals as toys,” Ryu, 4th District, said upon passage of the 2017 city ordinance. “Los Angeles must take action to make clear that exhibiting animals in this way is no longer in line with our city’s values.”

“The time is way overdue to stop torturing innocent animals for entertainment. Society is waking up to the reality behind this torture,” Koretz said at the rally. “We need to stop thinking that animal abuse is a necessity and start realizing animal exploitation is an atrocity. Creating positive change in animal welfare has long been a passion of mine.”

Hueso said he doesn’t expect opposition to the state law given public and governmental support for the fair treatment of animals.