Information 
A proposed ban on exotic animal performances in Worcester was soundly defeated by the City Council on Tuesday, despite the support of animal advocates.
The ban failed by a vote of 8 to 3. Only City Councilors Konstantina Lukes, who originally proposed the ban in October, Philip Palmieri and Sarai Rivera voted in favor.
Councilor-at-large Michael Gaffney said he worried about the economic impact of the ban.
Ringling Bros. and Barnem & Bailey, which puts on shows at Worcester's DCU Center annually, has said that it would not travel to Worcester without its animals. City Manager Ed Augustus said in a report that the ban would cost the city $1.5 million in economic activity.
Gaffney also had concerns about the ban's effect on petting zoos and events like the Professional Bull Riders tour, which will be in Worcester this weekend.
"It's the first step to say we shouldn't have any animals period," Gaffney said.
Lukes rejected the city manager's report, which emphasized economics.
"We're having exploitation of animals for profit," she said.
Lukes added that the ban was not intended to ban circuses, but to ban acts using endangered animals. Asian elephants, which have been used by Ringling Bros. in shows for more than 142 years, have been considered endangered for over 30 years.
"This is a chance for this council, this city, this state to right a wrong," Lukes said.
A group of local animal advocates also spoke before the vote, urging councilors to pass the ban.
Heidi Webber, of Oxford, told the council to consider safety concerns. She worried what would happen if an animal escaped.
"What price do you pay on safety?" she said. "There are stories and instances of wild animals getting loose -- tigers, elephants -- that would wreak havoc on our city. We only need one such incident to be too many."
Another woman, Sanrda Bigelow of Boylston, said it was important to teach children compassion for animals.
"It's an opportunity to protect children from the lie that is the circus," Bigelow said.