San Francisco Bans Commercial Use Of Exotic Animals

San Francisco will soon ban wild and exotic animal performances under a city ordinance. The Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the ordinance on Tuesday, April 28.

The city ordinance will prohibit use of wild animals in carnivals, petting zoos, parades and movie sets, in which animals will be required to do tricks or engage in a fight for the amusement of the audience. The measure, however, will not cover domesticated animals, livestock and pets. Other exemptions include activities and exhibitions organised for educational purposes.

Advocates have agreed that the legislation that garnered a preliminary vote of 11-0 last week would make San Francisco the largest city to impose a ban on the usage of wild and exotic animals for entertainment purposes. By definition, an exotic animal is a non-domestic creature that has been taken from its country of origin, regardless if it was raised in captivity. San Francisco Supervisor Katy Tang, a sponsor of the legislation, said in a report from CNS News that if no abuse is involved, people should not worry about the ban.

"The thing to note about the legislation is that it's trying to protect against abuse of animals," Tang said. "A parrot on a shoulder, generally speaking, they are not abusing them to make them talk.”

Several Californian municipalities have already implemented bans on circus performances especially when bullhooks are involved. The oldest and most popular travelling circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, has announced in March that they will be excluding elephant acts by 2018 due to the bullhooks ban implemented across dozens of U.S. cities, including Los Angeles and Oakland.

Tang acknowledges concerns coming from the film industry over the legislation but said that it is not exempted from the measure. San Francisco Film Commission executive director Susannah Greason Robbins said she understands the need to protect animals from abuse but also hopes that it will not affect film production opportunities in the city.

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