For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Montgomery Councilmembers
Rice and Leventhal propose ban
on circuses that have
performing wild animals
ROCKVILLE, Md., June 27, 2017—Montgomery County Councilmembers Craig Rice and George Leventhal today introduced Bill 23-17 that would ban performing animals from the traveling circuses that seek to set up in the County. The bill does not apply within the cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg.
Councilmembers Roger Berliner, Marc Elrich, Tom Hucker, Sidney Katz, Nancy Navarro and Hans Riemer are co-sponsors of the bill. A public hearing is tentatively scheduled on the bill for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18.
The change to the County’s Animal Control law would ban a person or business from profiting by the exhibition of wild animals in a traveling animal act. Wild animals include chimpanzees, baboons, monkeys, lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, ocelots, wolves, coyotes, bears, kangaroos, elephants, crocodiles, alligators, snakes, hippopotamuses, rhinos, giraffes and camels.
Exempted from the law would be shows that showcase domestic animals that might be found at an exhibition such as a county or neighborhood fair. Exempted animals include dogs and cats, domestic cattle, swine, sheep, goats, domestic horses, donkeys or mules.
“The closing of the Barnum and Bailey Circus, which was driven by the concern for the way performing animals were treated, is a major driver behind this bill,” said Councilmember Rice. “Ironically, animals in a large circus such as that one likely were treated better than the animals who are in much smaller circuses with less resources. There are dozens of those type of circuses that go around the country and set up in an empty parking lot.”
Councilmember Leventhal said that the proposed bill addresses protecting wild animals while also preserving traditions that have a focus on domestic animals that are cared for by individuals and families.
“The proposed bill will serve to protect wild and exotic animals, which are often mistreated and exploited in captivity,” Councilmember Leventhal said. “Displays of wild and exotic animals cannot be healthy or safe for the animals. They are forced to travel, are caged and displayed at all hours. I am gratified that a majority of Councilmembers is cosponsoring the bill.”