The California government has passed a bill to ban wild animal circuses, thanks to lawmakers favoring the Circus Cruelty Prevention Act.
The bill was co-sponsored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Social Compassion in Legislation, with further support from Animal Defenders International.
The final step will be the signature of California Governor Gavin Newsomon on the bill, which will lead to the law taking effect beginning 2020 and make California the third U.S. state after New Jersey and Hawaii to ban wild animals from being used in circuses.
“California is the wildlife state. Its topography and climate have produced an amazing diversity of habitat and a diverse array of both plant and animal species — more than any other state in the U.S.,” says Senator Hueso. “There is no need here, or anywhere, to support traveling animal acts that take these precious creatures out of their natural habitat and place them in dangerous conditions. I thank my colleagues in the Assembly for stepping up to move us one step closer to banning these shows statewide and ending these animals’ suffering once and for all.”
