XPost: oc.general, alt.california, sac.politics   
   XPost: alt.circus.arts   
   From: lbowers@invalid.org   
      
   Another anti-business democrat idiot.   
      
   ANAHEIM – A councilwoman is asking for a city law that would ban   
   the use of exotic animals, such as elephants, for circuses and   
   other entertainment – a request that could prevent Ringling   
   Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from bringing its annual show   
   to Anaheim.   
      
   Councilwoman Lorri Galloway requested Tuesday night that an   
   ordinance be drafted for consideration by the council at a later   
   date.   
      
   The request came after several animal-rights activists attended   
   Tuesday's meeting and alleged inhumane treatment of elephants by   
   Ringling Bros., which wrapped up a 10-day run at the Honda   
   Center earlier this month.   
      
   "What I've seen – the methods used to make a wild animal stand   
   on its head for entertainment – has sickened me," Galloway said.   
   "I know it's considered part of Americana to have elephants in   
   circuses, but it's time for change.   
      
   "I think it would be a huge move for the city of Anaheim,"   
   Galloway added. "Other cities have bans on exotic animals, but   
   they aren't Anaheim. They don't have the Honda Center. It would   
   send a loud message."   
      
   Ringling Bros. officials have denied mistreating animals, saying   
   their Asian elephants are watched over 24 hours a day by four,   
   full-time veterinarians. The circus also is licensed and   
   regulated by federal, state and local officials. Circus   
   officials say the elephants are transported in ventilated,   
   custom rail cars with a misting system and are well-fed and   
   bathed daily by experts.   
      
   "It's the first we've heard of a potential ban and we strongly   
   oppose it," said Tom Albert, vice president of government   
   relations for Ringling Bros. "We are the oldest, largest, most   
   famous circus in the world and animals, including elephants, are   
   at the heart of what we do."   
      
   Anaheim, which owns the Honda Center, has been a regular stop   
   for Ringling Bros. for many years, along with Los Angeles and   
   Ontario. The annual 10-day run brings in money to local   
   restaurants and other businesses.   
      
   Albert said Ringling Bros. estimates that a one-week run pumps   
   $1 million into the city's economy.   
      
   "We operate in about 200 cities each year and it's not as simple   
   as changing what we do for one city," he said.   
      
   Animal-rights activists applauded Galloway for taking what they   
   say is a courageous stance and hope other council members will   
   support her.   
      
   "It's definitely a great thing for the elephants and for Anaheim   
   for them to make the compassionate choice and institute the ban   
   on exotic animals," said Carney Anne Chester, an attorney for   
   the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals Foundation. "The   
   list of jurisdictions banning such acts is growing and Anaheim   
   would be an important addition."   
      
   Galloway would have to win the support of at least two other   
   council members for such an ordinance and it's unclear whether   
   she could gain that support. The ordinance must be drafted and   
   will come to the council for discussion, likely in September.   
      
   “I will carefully consider any (proposed) ordinance, but it is   
   my understanding is that California has some of the most   
   stringent regulations on (exotic) animal care anywhere,” said   
   Councilwoman Kris Murray. “Those animals deserve to be treated   
   safely and humanely. Any violations should be prosecuted to the   
   full extent of the law.   
      
   “But it (Ringling Bros.) is not an Anaheim company, it’s a   
   traveling company,” Murray said. “So it would seem to be best   
   regulated on a state level.”   
      
   Galloway said she doesn't believe the ordinance would drive away   
   the circus. She points to Circus Vargas and Cirque du Soleil as   
   successful shows that don't use exotic animals.   
      
   "I think Ringling Bros. could do the same. They need to   
   acclimate the same way," she said. "Children think 'circus' and   
   they still want to come, whether elephants are in the show or   
   not."   
      
   Hey Lorri, you dumb bitch.  Parents ante up the money for the   
   tickets, not children.   
      
   Contact the writer: 714-704-3769 or ecarpenter@ocregister.com   
      
   http://www.ocregister.com/news/elephants-369284-animals-   
   ringling.html   
      
   --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)