http://ketchumidaho.org/DocumentCenter/View/1893

96 page document; proposed ordinance language is as follows:

ORDINANCE ____
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 6.04.090, KETCHUM MUNICIPAL CODE,
ENTITLED EXOTIC WILDLIFE, TO PROHIBIT TRAVELING CIRCUSES; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Ketchum has determined that traveling circuses are detrimental to
animal welfare due to the adverse effects of captivity and transport; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ketchum has determined that due to severe confinement, lack of free
exercise, and the restriction of natural behaviors, animals in circuses suffer, are prone to health,
behavioral and psychological problems; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ketchum has determined that the tricks that exotic and nondomesticated
animals are forced to perform require extreme physical coercion techniques,
including the restriction of food, the use of elephant hooks (objects used to control and punish
elephants), electric shocks, metal bars, whips, and other forms of physical abuse; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ketchum has determined that the welfare of animals subject to the
conditions in traveling circuses, such as constant travel, limited facilities, long periods of
restriction of movement, stress, and physical coercion, will inevitably be compromised, which
can lead to increased risks to public safety; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ketchum has determined that animals in traveling circuses pose an
additional risk to public safety because such animals have wild instincts and needs and have
demonstrated unpredictability; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ketchum has determined that the use of collapsible, temporary facilities
in traveling circuses increases the risk of escaping exotic and non-domesticated animals seriously
harming workers and the public; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ketchum has determined that traveling circuses bring people
dangerously close to exotic and non-domesticated animals by displaying animals in
inappropriate, uncontrolled areas that are not suited for the exhibition of such animals; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ketchum has determined that it is not possible to provide exotic and
non-domesticated animals with facilities sufficient to maintain the optimum physical and mental
health of the animals because of the suffering caused to the animals by the nature of circuses, in
which restriction of movement, separation from natural groupings, restriction of food and water,
and physical abuse are standard operating procedures; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ketchum has determined that due to the mobile and transitory nature of
traveling circuses, law enforcement authorities cannot properly monitor the conditions of the
animals or follow up on previous infractions by traveling circuses; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ketchum has determined that restricting the use of exotic and nondomesticated
animals in circuses is the most cost-effective and efficient way to safeguard both
animal welfare and public safety.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF KETCHUM, IDAHO:
Section 1. That the existing Title 6, Chapter 4, Subsection C is replaced with the
following language and now reads as follows:
No exhibitor may allow for the participation of an exotic or wild animal in a traveling animal act
that includes elephants, tigers, lions, other big cats, bears, non-human primates, exotic reptiles,
and large aquatic mammals.
This restriction shall not apply to the use of an exotic or wild animal:
i. In an exhibition at a non-mobile, permanent institution or facility;
ii. As part of an outreach program for educational or conservation purposes by a nonprofit
organization, if the animal used for such purposes is not kept in a mobile housing
facility for more than 12 hours a day;
iii. When a species has a successful history of non-violent domestication, such as camels,
llamas and bison;
iv. In a rodeo.
Upon application and subject to the aforementioned restrictions, the Police Department may
grant a special permit to allow the temporary presence of domesticated exotic species within city
limits upon satisfactory assurance to the Ketchum Police Department that public safety would
not be jeopardized and that the animals would be treated humanely. Consideration of restraints
used for exotic animals shall require special attention. Restraints shall not cause pain or
discomfort. Restrained animals shall continue to have general freedom of bodily movement. All
tools and instruments of animal handling that resemble bullhooks shall be banned.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall be effective upon its adoption and publication.