UPDATE: The ordinance passed on December 1 with a unanimous vote.
UPDATE: Hearing on December 1 at 7:00 PM. LINK to agenda and web access: https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12012022-6836?html=true
UPDATE 11/14/22: The Legislative Matters Committee passed the ordinance. It now must pass the full City Council.
Northampton is proposing an “exotic/wild animals in entertainment ban.” The proposal is straightforward and simply states, “It shall be unlawful for any Person to conduct, sponsor, exhibit, or provide entertainment that includes live Wild or Exotic Animals on any public or private land within the City of Northampton, MA.” The ordinance has been recommended by council members Jim Nash and Karen Foster and is being heard by the Legislative Matters Committee on November 14.
Similar bans are being proposed across the country at both the local and state levels. There is even a federal bill.
Full disclosure is never provided by proponents as to the consequences. For example, with this language, any shows with non-domesticated animals would be illegal at the Three County Fair. Typically, these are pitched to legislators as a way to end any supposed animal abuse in small circuses or animal shows. Animal welfare laws already exist to address any issues of cruelty or neglect, rendering these animal rights bills redundant. To put it plainly, their relentless proposals are nothing more than schemes to feed their industry and incrementally remove animals from our lives – each city to adopt their agenda is a feather in their cap only to bolster their number of “wins.” From there they come back to the state legislature to point out the cities that have adopted their bans. The reality is most Americans do not know this is even going on behind the scenes. Before they know it, they are left with only memories of what once was, only to ask, “What happened?”
Current laws can be enforced without this unnecessary and redundant legislation which does nothing more than waste taxpayer money and sidestep real animal welfare issues. Animal rights and pseudo-animal welfare groups will continue to feed legislators misinformation, so it is our job as industry experts to educate with the facts.
This ordinance prohibits using certain animals (listed below) in entertainment with the assumption that inherent cruelty and abuse are present. All Crocodylia are listed in the proposal. While those are the only reptiles included in this ban, USARK knows the value of alerting other animal interests. It is also easy to add species to the ban after passage. Regardless of what species are involved, this ordinance is unnecessary, duplicative, and a waste of tax dollars. Measures like this only punish responsible citizens, not those breaking federal and state animal cruelty laws.
It is a clear display of how deep the pockets and connections of the animal rights movement are in our society and where their focus lies despite all the real-world problems we are facing today.
Species included in the bill are below. It is important to note that there is no exception for accredited zoological institutions.
REMEMBER: This is just the initial list. Species can be added at any time! STOP it now even if your species is not included! This is just the beginning.
- Non-human primates and prosimians (such as chimpanzees, baboons,
monkeys, etc.) – All species.
b. Felidae (such as lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, ocelots, servals, etc.) – All
species except domestic cats.
c. Canidae (such as wolves, coyotes, etc.) – All species except domestic
dogs.
d. Ursidae (such as bears) – All species.
e. Marsupialia (such as kangaroos, etc.) – All species.
f. Proboscidae (such as elephants) – All species.
g. Crocodilia (such as crocodiles, alligators, etc.) – All species.
h. Hippopotamuses, giraffes, and camels.
i. Zebras, rhinos, and tapirs
j. Struthioniformes (such as ostriches) – All species.
k. Casuariiformes (such as emus) – All species.
l. Pinnipeds (such as sea lions) – All species.
M. Squatiniformes (such as sharks) – All species.
Contact Info
Email list: lkrutzler@northamptonma.gov, melkins@northamptonma.gov, jgore@northamptonma.gov, smoulton@northamptonma.gov, kfoster@northamptonma.gov, jimnashcitycouncil@gmail.com, gperry@northamptonma.gov, ajarrett@northamptonma.gov, mlabargeward6@aol.com, rmaiore@northamptonma.gov
Laura Krutzler: Administrative Assistant – 413-587-1210
Legislative Matters Chair: Alex Jarrett: ajarrett@northamptonma.gov – 413-320-4700
Vice-Chair: Marissa Elkins: melkins@northamptonma.gov – 413-341-6944
James Nash: jimnashcitycouncil@gmail.com – 413-582-0637
Stanley W. Moulton III: smoulton@northamptonma.gov – 413-221-8340
Subject line:
NO to Animal Program Ban
Sample letter
Members of Northampton City Council,
As a dedicated advocate for animal welfare, I implore you to vote NO on the proposed ordinance. The state of Massachusetts already has extensive animal cruelty and welfare laws where the concerns listed in the ordinance language are specifically addressed, including Part IV, Title I, Chapter 272, Section 77 titled Cruelty to animals.
Enforce the current laws! This is yet another law in the books that will not accomplish its stated purpose and is nothing more than a solution looking for a problem. Are you aware that this language turns law-abiding USDA licensees into criminals? Is this really how legislators should be spending their time and my tax dollars?
Despite using scientific classifications for animals, it seems this proposal lacks research. For example, all marsupials would be banned. This includes our own native Virginia opossum, which would no longer be a candidate for outreach shows about wildlife endemic to Massachusetts. The Zoo at Forest Park which services your area for educational programs uses those types of animals. Also included are camels; Arabian or Dromedary camels have been domesticated for thousands of years and no longer have wild populations discernable from their domestic DNA. Hardly an exotic animal by any stretch of the imagination. No one would be able to use them for a live nativity scene during the holidays if this were to pass.
The fact is that this legislation is unnecessary. Punish the “bad actors” and the criminals. No new law is needed to protect animals as Massachusetts can already prosecute animal abusers.
Superfluous laws are becoming commonplace. Tax dollars and legislative resources are continually being wasted to propose duplicative laws. Even worse, collective punishment is becoming an accepted practice in our government. Instead of focusing on criminals, many new laws choose to punish good citizens.
This bill is far-reaching and rife with unintended consequences, including making criminals out of those dedicated individuals who responsibly conduct educational programs with animals. Please realize that this proposal does not do anything to improve animal welfare. Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
MORE DETAILS
NOTE: It does not matter what legislators state as the intent of the bill. Laws are not enforced by legislators!
What to do:
- Call officials;
- Email officials;
- Fax and mail letters;
- Attend hearings and voice opposition, if possible;
- SHARE this and encourage others to complete the Alert!!!
TEXT: https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/20049?fileID=174258
