For
the better part of the past two years, activists from the League of Humane
Voters of New Jersey (LOHV-NJ) have educated the Bergen County Freeholders on
the cruelty of traveling circuses, in the hopes that Bergen County would become
the first community in New Jersey to prohibit animal circuses, an anachronistic
and cruel form of "entertainment."
Through presentations and
individual meetings, we appear to have political support to ban wild animal
acts from being able to perform in the Bergen County parks. When it happens, it
will be an important step in the right direction. After we obtain one ban,
other communities will follow and a more humane New Jersey will be around the
corner!
Unfortunately,
the proposed ordinance has been delayed in the county legal department for a
while, being reviewed. PLEASE contact Bergen County Executive James Tedesco to
have him bring this across the finish line. This is taking too long. MANY
communities across the country, as well as internationally, have banned wild
animal performance cruelty.
Please
tell County Executive Tedesco that you are a voter who cares about the
suffering of these animals and you want his help to usher in the ban on wild
animal acts in Bergen County parks. Sample emails are below. Thank you in
advance for your help. Do not forget to give your Bergen County address when
emailing!
County
Executive James Tedesco's email: [address removed]
Sample
Messages:
Dear
County Executive Tedesco,
Please
help the ban on wild animal circuses in county parks proceed through the legal
review so that the freeholders may vote on it. There is substantial evidence that traveling shows simply
cannot provide what wild animals need. From beatings to depriving animals
of food, circuses abuse the innocent. I want Bergen County, NJ to follow the
prohibition ordinances already enacted most recently in Eureka Springs,
Arkansas and Plymouth, Massachusetts. As a resident of Bergen County, it is
very important to me that you help these animals. They have waited too long. I
look forward to seeing a ban enacted as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Other suggestions to include in your letter:
With Ringling Brothers removing its elephants from its
travelling show and Sea World phasing out its killer whale acts, the time has
never been better for helping the animals trapped in travelling acts. The
public does not want to see wild animals who are beaten into doing
tricks.
Cole Brothers circus has closed down a few months ago. People
are more enlightened and educated about what wild animals need. Travelling day
in and day out, dealing with loneliness and abuse - we can do better! This has
no place in Bergen County.
Great organizations have better ways to earn money,
through carnivals, pasta dinners, and auctions. Animal abuse should not be
a fundraising tool.
