Prohibiting the Use of Weapons Against Elephants in Oakland

At the October 16 Rules & Legislation Committee meeting, Councilmembers Gallo, Kalb, and Vice Mayor Reid submitted, for consideration, legislation that is intended to prohibit the use of weapons against elephants within the City of Oakland.

The item is a continuation of the Ordinance Establishing Additional Regulations on Circuses that was unanimously approved by the City Council in January 2014. The current ordinance states, "In addition, the Administration shall also provide options for possible legislation by the June 1, 2015 deadline that address the conditions of performing animals, including an option that mirrors the implements ban proposed by the Los Angeles City Council."  In his remarks, Councilmember Gallo indicated that the proposed ordinance, supported by the Oakland Zoo, the East Bay SPCA, and many members of the community, would indeed be modeled after the "Bullhook Ban" that The City of Los Angeles passed unanimously earlier this year. The Los Angeles municipal code was modified to include the following:


SEC. 53.74. BULLHOOKS - PROHIBITION ON USE. 

It shall be unlawful for any person to use a bullhook, ankus, baseball bat, axe handle, pitchfork or other implement or tool designed to inflict pain for the purpose of training or controlling the behavior of an elephant in the City of Los Angeles. For purposes of this section, the term use shall include brandishing, exhibiting or displaying a bullhook or an implement designed to look like a bullhook in the presence of an elephant for the purpose of training or controlling the behavior of the elephant. The ordinance shall become operative on January 1, 2017.

The proposed ordinance is scheduled to be heard at the Public Safety Committee meeting on December 2 at 6PM.

Watch the City Council Rules & Legislation Committee Meeting discussion on the proposed ordinance to prohibit the use of weapons against elephants in the City of Oakland.