A01405 Text:

                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K

       ________________________________________________________________________

                                         1405

                              2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y

                                   January 12, 2015

                                      ___________

       Introduced  by M. of A. PAULIN, AUBRY, ENGLEBRIGHT -- Multi-Sponsored by

         -- M. of A. BUCHWALD, COOK, HIKIND -- read once and  referred  to  the

         Committee on Agriculture

       AN  ACT  to  amend  the  agriculture  and  markets  law,  in relation to

         restricting the use of exotic and wild animals in  traveling  circuses

         and shows

         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-

       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

    1    Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the  "traveling

    2  exotic and wild animal protection act".

    3    S 2. Legislative findings. The legislature finds that:

    4    1.  traveling circuses and shows are detrimental to animal welfare due

    5  to the adverse effects of captivity and transport;

    6    2. severe confinement, lack of free exercise, and the  restriction  of

    7  natural behaviors, cause animals used in traveling circuses and shows to

    8  suffer and be prone to health, behavioral, and psychological problems;

    9    3.  tricks  that  exotic  and  non-domesticated  animals are forced to

   10  perform require extreme  physical  coercion  techniques,  including  the

   11  restriction  of food, the use of elephant hooks (objects used to control

   12  and punish elephants), electric shocks, metal  bars,  whips,  and  other

   13  forms of physical abuse;

   14    4.  welfare of animals subject to the conditions in traveling circuses

   15  and shows, such as constant travel, limited facilities, long periods  of

   16  restricted  movement,  stress, and physical coercion, will inevitably be

   17  compromised, which can lead to increased risks to public safety;

   18    5. animals in traveling circuses and shows pose an additional risk  to

   19  public  safety  because  such  animals have wild instincts and needs and

   20  have demonstrated unpredictability;

   21    6. use of collapsible, temporary facilities in traveling circuses  and

   22  shows increases the risk of escaping exotic and non-domesticated animals

   23  seriously harming workers and the public;

        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                                  LBD04864-01-5

       A. 1405                             2

    1    7.  traveling  circuses  and  shows  bring people dangerously close to

    2  exotic and non-domesticated animals by displaying animals in inappropri-

    3  ate, uncontrolled areas that are not suited for the exhibition  of  such

    4  animals;

    5    8.  it  is not possible to provide exotic and non-domesticated animals

    6  with facilities sufficient to maintain the optimum physical  and  mental

    7  health  of the animals because of the suffering caused to the animals by

    8  the nature of traveling circuses and  shows,  in  which  restriction  of

    9  movement,  separation  from  natural  groupings, restriction of food and

   10  water, and physical abuse are prevalent;

   11    9. due to the mobile and transitory nature of traveling  circuses  and

   12  shows,  law  enforcement  authorities cannot properly monitor the condi-

   13  tions of the animals or follow up on previous infractions  by  traveling

   14  circuses;

   15    10.  restricting  the  use  of  exotic and non-domesticated animals in

   16  traveling circuses and shows is the most  cost-effective  and  efficient

   17  way to safeguard both animal welfare and public safety; and

   18    11.  animal-free circuses like Cirque du Soleil are growing in number,

   19  economic impact, and popularity, a testament  to  an  educated  public's

   20  desire to see humane entertainment.

   21    S  3.  The  agriculture  and  markets  law  is amended by adding a new

   22  section 352 to read as follows:

   23    S 352. USE OF EXOTIC OR WILD ANIMALS IN TRAVELING CIRCUSES AND EXHIBI-

   24  TIONS.  1. NO TRAVELING CIRCUS OR SHOW MAY ALLOW FOR  THE  PARTICIPATION

   25  OF AN EXOTIC OR WILD ANIMAL, INCLUDING A NON-HUMAN PRIMATE, IN AN ANIMAL

   26  ACT  IF, DURING THE THIRTY DAY PERIOD PRECEDING SUCH PARTICIPATION, SUCH

   27  ANIMAL WAS TRAVELING IN A MOBILE HOUSING FACILITY.

   28    2. THE RESTRICTION UNDER SUBDIVISION ONE OF  THIS  SECTION  SHALL  NOT

   29  APPLY  TO  THE  USE  OF  AN EXOTIC OR WILD ANIMAL, INCLUDING A NON-HUMAN

   30  PRIMATE:

   31    (A) IN AN EXHIBITION AT A NON-MOBILE, PERMANENT INSTITUTION OR FACILI-

   32  TY, INCLUDING AN ACCREDITED ZOO OR AQUARIUM;

   33    (B) AS PART OF AN  OUTREACH  PROGRAM  FOR  EDUCATION  OR  CONSERVATION

   34  PURPOSES  BY AN ACCREDITED ZOO, AQUARIUM, OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT CONSERVATION