Tuesday, June 19, 2012

C  I  T  Y    O  F    A  T  L  A  N  T  A

City Councilmember Felicia Moore Introduces Legislation to Ban the use of Bullhooks on elephants

ATLANTA - Atlanta City Councilmember Felicia Moore introduced legislation on Monday, to specifically ban the use of bullhooks or other similar devices on elephants during shows and events within the City of Atlanta.

After Moore did not receive favorable approval from the Atlanta City Council on a similar amendment, she re-introduced it for continued debate. It will now goes before the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee for discussion at its next meeting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 26 in Committee Room No. 2, Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue S.W.

Instead of completely outlawing the use of the bullhook, the Atlanta City Council approved an amendment by Councilmember Yolanda Adrean which makes it unlawful for any person to engage in abusive behavior toward an elephant. It also outlaws the use of any instrument to discipline the elephant by any of the following methods:

1.    Deprivation of food, water, or rest;

2.    Use of electricity;

3.    Physical punishment resulting in damage, scarring or breaking of skin; or

4.    Insertion of any instrument into any bodily orifice.

“The words discipline and punishment are of particular concern,” Moore said. “Under Adrean’s amendment it will be difficult to prove before a judge that an elephant wasn’t being ‘humanely trained’. The amendment is too vague and is unenforceable. Her amendment does nothing to protect elephants from the abusive use of bullhooks.”

Fulton County recently banned the use of the bullhook. Currently, Atlanta has an agreement with Fulton County for animal control services.

A bullhook is a device or instrument containing a spike, hook, or any combination thereof. A bullhook is also known as an ankus, ankusha, elephant goad, or elephant hook.

Moore’s legislation would also ban the use of any device or instrument that inflicts pain on, or causes or is likely to cause injury to an elephant, except as necessary to administer legitimate medical treatment or in response to an immediate threat to public safety.

The legislation contends that the use of bullhooks on elephants causes pain, suffering and trauma, often leading to lacerations, open puncture wounds and abscesses. Bullhook supporters contend that the device is a necessary tool to train and guide elephants.

If approved, Atlanta would also join a growing list of cities nationally and internationally that have banned or are considering bans on the use of bullhooks on elephants.