Circuses to fight Pittsburgh plan to ban wild animal acts
HARRISBURG (AP) – The owner of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus says it plans to fight a proposal that bans wild and exotic animals from performing in Pittsburgh.
City Council President Bruce Kraus introduced legislation on Tuesday that would ban the use of animals including monkeys, lions, tigers, bears, and elephants.
Ringling Bros.’ held its final circuses featuring elephants last weekend. SeaWorld has said it will gradually end orca shows and no longer breed killer whales.
Stephen Payne, vice president for Feld Entertainment, owner of the nationally known circuses, and Paul Leavy, chairman of the Pittsburgh Shrine Circus, tell the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review they’re planning efforts to block the proposal.
It wasn’t clear what those efforts include.
Kraus says he plans to ask for a public hearing on the issue next week.