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West Hollywood Wants To Ban Exhibit Of Exotic Animals (Except In Movies)
Malayan tapir (Photo by Arun Roisri / Shutterstock)
Sorry, tapir exhibitors of West Hollywood, the party's over!
We kid, but it's not clear how many "exotic animal exhibitions" are going on in the city that's already banned fur and pet sales or whether the proposed measure is largely symbolic.
According to the L.A. Times, the measure would mean that "commercial displays" and performances involving exotic animals such as circuses, trade shows or street performers with exotic sidekicks would no longer be allowed.
The proposed ordinance is from council members Jeffrey Prang and John Duran and is "intended to protect wild and exotic animals from cruel and inhumane treatment."
Exceptions would be made for educational displays (such as bringing a bald eagle into a classroom) and for films, which are monitored by the American Humane Association.
Among the two dozen animals listed on the measure are bears, badgers, kangaroos, giraffes, tapirs, armadillos and civets.
In 2011, WeHo became the first city in the nation to ban the sale of fur, which finally takes effect this month. In 2003, it banned cat declawing and in 2010 it banned the retail sale of cats and dogs.
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Related:
West Hollywood Bans Fur Sales, Animals Rejoice
WeHo Cat & Dog Sale Ban Seeks to 'Eliminate the Demand' of Puppy Mill Dogs
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