On December 10, the Oakland City Council passed an ordinance which will require circuses with exotic animals to obtain a permit prior to visiting the city, and which will also require animal inspections during circus engagements.  Feld Entertainment has been working with the sponsor to help ensure that the ordinance language did not prohibit performing and exotic animals in the city.  The ordinance duplicates state and federal requirements regulating exotic and performing animals, but contained no language that would prevent exhibitors with elephants from visiting Oakland at this time. Despite attempts from local activists to include a bullhook ban in the measure, this ordinance does not ban elephant management tools or prohibit circus elephants. 

The City Council is requesting a report in 18 months regarding the impact of the new ordinance, therefore a discussion of a possible bullhook ban may occur then.  The circus and performing animal industry will be monitoring this issue closely for any further developments.