[UPDATED with Performing Animal Ban Pulled:] Circus Comes to Anaheim Council Chambers Tonight]

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2012/09/anaheim_circus_animal_ban_ring.php

By Matt Coker

Tue., Sep. 25 2012 at 6:38 PM

[See the update at the end of this post about the proposal to ban performing animals in Anaheim being pulled.]

ORIGINAL POST, SEPT. 25, 9:41 A.M.: In showbiz, timing is everything, which explains why Feld Entertainment is bringing the big guns to tonight's Anaheim City Council meeting. Having presented its Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to packed Anaheim houses for years, Feld recently inked a five-year deal to continue the streak at the Honda Center--a deal the Virginia-based promoter now fears is threatened by a proposal before the City Council.

Before the council meeting at 5 p.m. is a proposed ordinance that would essentially ban performing "wild and exotic animals" in Anaheim--a direct hit to "The Greatest Show on Earth" known for its lion, tiger and elephant acts.

The proposal was spurred by Councilwoman Lorri Galloway, who said during council member comments on Aug. 23 that she would ask staff to draft the ordinance before the council tonight.

Though she advocated a general ban on performing wild and exotic animals, Galloway made it clear who her intended target was when she said she was "sickened" by evidence she's seen of alleged abuse of elephants.

"I know it's considered part of Americana to have elephants in circuses," Her Honor said that night, "but it's time for change."

That drew cheers from animal activists in the crowd, as they have for years tried to ban circus elephants over allegations of abuse by handlers and general mistreatment by producers. But, unavailable to chime in were actual circus promoters--or, at least, the largest one to operate in the city, Feld/Ringling, which claims it was totally blindsided by the proposal.

And so, among those darkening the council chambers tonight will be Stephen Payne, Feld Entertainment's vice president of Corporate Communications. Having had a chance to read the draft before the council tonight, Payne tells the Weekly it is "telling" that what Galloway first pitched as a general ban on performing animals now specifically targets circuses. 

"The report also correctly points out that this has nothing to do with public safety," writes Payne in an email that points to this passage: "In the 46 years of the Convention Center Arena and the Honda Center's annual circus, we are not aware of any animal incidents related to any member of the public."

That, to Payne, signals the draft ordinance "is clearly an animal rights driven anti-circus bill."

Meanwhile, Galloway report she has been flooded with alls and emails from supporters of her proposal, so you can imagine a highly charged atmosphere tonight in a council chambers that has been the sight of more fireworks recently than nearby Disneyland's nighttime show thanks to outrage over Anaheim Police brutality and wrongful shooting claims.

Yep, you don't need a ticket, a big top or, heck, even elephants standing on their heads to attend a circus in Anaheim these days. Ringmaster/Mayor Tom Tait is scheduled to bang his gavel at 5 p.m. at 200 S. Anaheim Blvd.

UPDATE, SEPT. 25, 6:38 P.M.: With "sadness," and after consultation with animal-rights organizations that had clued Lorri Galloway into abuse allegations swirling around circuses, the councilwoman this evening pulled her proposed ban on performing wild and exotic animals within city limits.

Galloway said the issue required more study, but she invited dozens of animal activists and ban supporters in attendance to share their views with the council about the proposal and circus animals. Representatives from Feld Entertainment, the Honda Center and the Teamsters union were there to defend Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' annual Anaheim shows.

 "We're ecstatic," reacted Stephen Payne, a Feld Entertainment vice president who attended along with a Ringling Bros. veterinarian who cares for performing lions, tigers and elephants.

Payne accused some critics of airing unsubstantiated claims about Ringling Bros.'s treatment of animals, while adding he believes the Feld forces were able to convince at least some people that the way the company operates runs counter to the opposition's allegations.

"We are happy to have the opportunity to bring 'The Greatest Show on Earth' back to the Honda Center every year," said Payne, pointing to the five-year deal Ringling Bros. recently inked with the arena next to the 57 freeway. "The two weeks in Anaheim are such a central part of our Southern California engagement."

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