On February 26, 2014, the Clatsop County (OR) Board of County Commissioners will be voting on an ordinance to ban the use accepted animal training tools.  As currently drafted, Ordinance 2013-07 would ban the use of bullhooks on elephants, felines, and primates while they are on display, used for entertainment purposes, or being trained in the unincorporated area of Clatsop County.  This would prevent circuses with exotic animals from visiting Clatsop County.

A similar request to ban circus animals in the County was introduced in March 2010 (Ordinance 2011-13) and was voted down after being placed on the May 2012 primary ballot

Please take a moment to contact the five (5) members of the Clatsop County Commission to let them know you OPPOSE Ordinance 2013-07.  Emails and letters from circus supporters in Oregon are especially encouraged. 

Thank you!

Clatsop County Commissioners:

Peter Huhtala , Chairperson

Scott Lee, Vice-Chairperson

Sarah Nebeker, Commissioner

Dirk Rohne, Commissioner

Debra Birkby, Commissioner

Phone: (503) 325-1000

Fax: (503) 325-8325

E-mail: commissioners@co.clatsop.or.us

Mailing address:

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners

 800 Exchange St., Suite 410

 Astoria, OR 97103

Sample talking points:

 The following are suggestions for your correspondence, but please use your own words, and you do not need to include every bullet point.  Please keep all correspondence respectful.

• Tell the Council members that you are OPPOSED to any measure that would prevent circuses and other travelling exhibitors with elephants from visiting Clatsop County.

• All circuses are required to have a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) exhibitor’s license.  USDA conducts regular unannounced inspections of performing animals and their stable areas, and their inspection reports are a matter of public record.

• Circuses and other animal exhibitors are also subject to state and local animal cruelty laws and permit requirements in Oregon.  Such regulations provide protection to all performing animals and allow for the prosecution of those who neglect or mistreat the animals in their care.

• Millions of American families support and enjoy traditional circuses with elephants and other exotic animals, including many thousands who attend shows in Los Angeles.  It is wrong to deprive them of the right to choose to do so.

• If any animal is being mistreated in any environment, the right answer is to enforce existing laws and regulations to punish bad actors as opposed to punishing an entire industry and the public who enjoy circuses.

• Circus elephants and other performing animals are well cared for and it only makes sense that circuses would take good care of them.  In fact, performing circus animals generally are healthier and live longer than their counterparts in zoos.

• Proponents of performing animal bans mischaracterize or misunderstand the facts about the training and handling of circus animals. Most of the organizations that advocate such bans do so as part of a larger, animal rights agenda which opposes all or most human interaction with animals.