Ban on Use of Bullhooks and Chains

PETITION TO THE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL OF SACRAMENTO, CA.

WE, the undersigned residents of the City of Sacramento, CA. Draw your attention to the following:

THAT the use of implements such as the bullhook also known as an ankus to strike, poke, hit, stab, pierce or any other physical contact on an elephant for the purpose of training or controlling the elephant is cruel and inhumane.

THAT the use of chains or other similar device to restrain an elephant for long periods of time by two legs, except for the shortest amount of time necessary to provide actual medical treatment is cruel and inhumane.

THAT the use of such devices results in physical and psychological damage and stress to the elephant. And such physical and psychological stress often causes elephants who are performing for the public to rebel and can cause injury or death to the public as well as damage to property.

THAT beatings are standard circus industry practice to break these intelligent, sensitive and social animals, who spend most of their lives in chains; and to train them to perform unnatural and degrading tricks.

THAT we reject, as unsuitable entertainment for our children, that these gentle giants and their babies should suffer the cruel violence of beatings with the bull hook - a relic of a barbaric age, which should be unacceptable in a civilized society.

THEREFORE, YOUR PETITIONERS CALL UPON YOU TO ENACT AN ORDINANCE THAT PROHIBITS THE USE OF BULLHOOKS OR SIMILAR DEVICES THAT MAY HARM THE ELEPHANTS SKIN AND PROHIBITS THE USE OF CHAINS OR SIMILAR DEVICE TO RESTRAIN AN ELEPHANT EXEPT FOR THE SHORTEST AMOUNT OF TIME NECESSARY TO PROVIDE ACTUAL MEDICAL TREATMENT WITHIN THE ENVIRONS OF THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO, CA.