HR 3359: TEAPA PRESS CONFERENCE

Washington, D.C. -- HR 3359, the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act, a bill that could see an end to elephants, lions, tigers, monkeys and bears touring with circuses, was unveiled Nov. 2, 2011, at a press conference attended by Bob Barker, Jorja Fox, the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), and Animal Defenders International (ADI). The Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA), introduced by Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), will restrict the use of exotic and non-domesticated animals in traveling circuses and exhibitions.

Announcing the Bill at a launch in the Rayburn Building, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) stated:

"Based upon the publically-available research, and video and photographic evidence, it is clear that traveling circuses cannot provide the proper living conditions for these exotic animals. That is why this legislation is intended to target just the most egregious circumstances involving exotic and wild animals in traveling circuses. It is not intended to affect zoos, aquariums, horse racing, rodeos, or permanent facilities where animals travel out for film, television or advertising work. Keeping elephants in chains, confining wild animals like lions and tigers in small cages, and forcing them to perform unnatural tricks for the sole purpose of human amusement, is increasingly difficult to justify the more we learn about these intelligent, social creatures."

This is the first bill to comprehensively tackle the use of all wild animals in circuses ever to be launched in the U.S. The Bill will end the keeping of animals for extended periods in temporary facilities, the cruel training and control methods employed by circuses and address public safety issues. It will not impact zoos or other static facilities with captive wildlife.

Philanthropist and TV host of "The Price Is Right", Bob Barker, said: "There will be a time when people will be shocked that we ever allowed the suffering of these animals in the name of entertainment to continue so long. Elephants living in chains and being beaten; lions and tigers in small cages on trucks, being whipped to perform tricks; it's the dark ages. This Bill helps bring us out of the dark ages."

In the coming months, members of Congress will be urged to sign the Bill. Jorja Fox concluded: "Everyone now has a chance to end this suffering. People should contact their member of Congress today urging them to sign the Bill. It's a practical and reasonable measure to protect animals. Don't take no for an answer."

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Circus Animals
• Bob Barker
• jorja Fox
• CSI
• animal protection
• Ed Stewart
• Congressman Jim Moran
• Crime Scene Investigation
• circus elephants
• tigers
• lions
• bears

[janetlw]

@doProxy-Connection: keep-alive

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bloomer Put in print regarding stopping the cruelty of animal circus acts. ALL CIRCUS' need to stop and stop now. Am I sad for the people who work in these shows? NO WAY!!!! They are as guilty as any other circus worker. All, each & everyone has seen the cruelty. The time is NOW to stop the so called "Big Tent". I am 64 yrs old and I attended one performance when I was ten. I just remember crying for these animals b

[pyr1954]

@pyr1954 Wait, it's all coming back to me now. @donhbloomer - you were not in Vegas, you trained Bertha in Reno, NV. I was thinking of Stoney at the Luxor in Las Vegas.

[pyr1954]

@donhbloomer Of course you would say that. You were one of those trainers -- in Las Vegas I believe. Bertha the elephant, and others at the Nugget.

[donhbloomer]

I want to keep enjoying the love I see between the Circus Animal Trainers and their animal family. This is a bad bill! There are already laws against animal cruelty.

[elsamere]

FINALLY! The United States needs to step into the 21st century and end this antiquated and completely unnecessary practice of exploiting animals in circuses. We need to do what we KNOW is right, and leave the animals out of the circus!! Other countries have banned animals in circuses.......We can too!

Bob Barker is the MAN!!

[ChimpChop]

This will not only save animals from suffering, it will prevent endangerment to circus-goers and circuses will be better than ever when they no longer rely on wild animal acts. Write your congressperson NOW!

[MsGertel]

It's long overdue and the public needs to be educated about what goes on in circuses and other venues that use and abuse these wild creatures.

[brittonbearclaw]

whom even disliked this DIAF

[brittonbearclaw]

LOVE U PAWS!!!!

maybe on your website have a state list of congress - contact phone numbers with names - that would make it easy....wait here is one - just

remove the spaces from every character

h t t p : / / g o o . g l / s n S b y

contact them now

[MeaghanEdwards]

Roadside zoos (as opposed to real zoos which indeed do conservation work), lion/tiger cub petting travelling exhibits and rodeos should NOT be exempt.