A new law is making its way through one state’s government.
And if it goes through, it’ll greatly impact a longstanding American pastime.
The Washington State Standard reports how lawmakers in Washington “are not clowning around” when it comes to Senate Bill 5065.
Sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds) and initially introduced in January, this proposal would ban traveling circuses from forcing animals such as lions, tigers, bears, and apes from to perform tricks or other forms of entertainment.
“I think you measure a society by how it treats the most vulnerable members of that society, whether it’s our kids or elders or how we treat animals,” said Liias.
Animal rights organizations such as the Animal Legal Defense Fund have commended this bill, lauding it as a step forward for animal welfare.
“Captive wild animals in circuses spend most of their days in cramped, barren cages, deprived of the ability to engage in their natural behaviors,” reads the defense fund’s description of the bill.
“Forced to perform frightening and sometimes painful tricks, they often endure a lifetime of misery.”
The Cool Down continues to report how the bill has support from eight cosponsors. It just passed the Senate Law & Justice Committee and — as of Friday — awaits in the Rules Committee for a possible floor vote.
“Stronger legal protections are needed for captive wild animals in Washington,” the Animal Legal Defense Fund website adds. “These animals have few legal protections, and even those few protections are not adequately enforced.
“When wild animals are used in traveling shows and circuses, there is no way to ensure the safety of the animals or the public. Numerous incidents in which animals have escaped cages or bolted from their handlers have led to injury and even death for animals and people like.”