The City of Hallandale Beach, FL is considering an ordinance that would ban the use of certain elephant management tools, including tethers and the elephant guide (or ankus). If this ordinance is passed, it would prevent circuses with elephants from visiting the city of Hallandale Beach by preventing the use of widely accepted elephant management tools. The measure passed a first reading on December 5 and is scheduled for a second reading and vote on December 18.

Please take a moment to contact the five (5) members of the Hallandale Beach City Commissioner to let them know you oppose such an ordinance.

Mayor Joy Cooper                              (954) 457-1318           Email: jcooper@hallandalebeachfl.gov

Commissioner Anthony A. Sanders   (954) 457-1319           Email: asanders@hallandalebeachfl.gov

Vice Mayor Alex Lewy                       (954) 457-1315           Email: alewy@hallandalebeachfl.gov

Commissioner Bill Julian                    (954) 457-1317           Email: wjulian@hallandalebeachfl.gov

Commissioner Michele Lazarow        (954) 457-1320           Email: mlazarow@hallandalebeachfl.gov

Mailing address for City Commissioners:

400 South Federal Highway

Hallandale Beach, FL 33009

True animal experts know that a safe and secure environment is the only acceptable and successful method of training any animal, including elephants. The elephant guide, sometimes called a bull hook or ankus, have been used by elephant handlers for thousands of years. Elephant handlers in zoos, nature preserves and circuses throughout the world use the guide as an extension of the trainer's arm along with a voice command.

The guide is a proven and humane husbandry tool accepted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which regulates all zoos and circuses, and is approved by the International Elephant Foundation and the Elephant Managers Association.

Further, the care and handling of all animals in circuses is already subject to strict federal, state and local animal welfare and cruelty laws. All circuses and traveling exhibitors that perform in Florida are inspected by state authorities and receive unannounced inspections by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure compliance with the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Thank you for contacting the City Commission to help ensure that circuses with elephants can continue to visit Hallandale Beach.