ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed a bill Thursday prohibiting the use of exotic animals in circuses and other traveling shows. Under the bill, sponsored by Del. Sara Love and Sen. Sarah Elfreth, violators would face a $2,000 civil penalty.
The prohibited species include big cats, bears, nonhuman primates and elephants. With the governor's signature, Maryland becomes the 10th state to restrict the use of wild animals in circuses, fairs and arena performances.
Animal welfare advocates are praising the bill's signing, saying animals forced to perform in shows and circuses endure a life of misery.
“Tormenting big cats, bears, monkeys and elephants under the guise of entertainment is a relic of a shameful past," said Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, the Maryland state director for the Humane Society of the United States. "With today’s bill signing, Maryland finally closes the curtain on traveling shows that haul wild animals around the country in cages just to force them to perform by intimidating them with bullhooks and whips. No animal should ever experience this kind of suffering."
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