Hawaii is the first US state to ban animal performance
Inspired, in part, by the escape and gun down of a well known circus elephant, Hawaiian citizens moved to ban the use of animals for entertainment purposes. Animals banned include big cats, elephants, bears, and other wild exotics.
The new law will also ban the import of the animals, though it does make exception for government zoos and commercial filming for movies and television. It is expected to go into effect some time in 2016.
“We’re hoping of course that Hawaii will set an example for other states to take the next step, said senior Hawaiian state director for the Humane Society, Inga Gibson.
And it may. Cities are banning the use of puppy mills and people are learning more about the rights of non-human animals, especially with the speed of knowledge with the internet.
There are 50 municipalities within 22 states that have a partial or full ban on entertainment animals.