In a win for animals exploited in traveling entertainment, Washington has passed a bill that bans big cats, bears, non-human primates, and elephants from being used in traveling animal acts, according to The Seattle Times.
Lady Freethinker applauds lawmakers’ passage of this legislation and thanks the more than 36,000 readers who signed our petition in support of this bill.
With this move, Washington joins the likes of Massachusetts and Maryland as the 12th state to ban traveling circuses and shows that include live animals.
The state has been a regular stop for circuses, per Komo News. One notorious example is the Jordan Wild Circus, which captured headlines in 2024 after an elderly elephant named Viola fled her handlers and bolted into traffic.
“We measure societies by how they treat their most vulnerable members — that includes animals,” stated Senator Marko Liias, one of the bill’s sponsors. “Traveling acts subject animals, both large and small, to inhumane treatment that endangers their lives and the safety of audiences. I’m proud Washington is standing up for animals by saying no to this cruel, unfair practice.”
Thanks to this critical reform, several wild animals will no longer be robbed of their freedom and dignity, isolated, shackled, trained through violence and intimidation, and forced to perform for human amusement in traveling shows in Washington.
LFT is grateful that these innocent animals will be spared from these exploitative and cruel practices in Washington and hopes this victory will encourage other states to follow suit.
