| Chapter 506 |
| 2016 -- H 8197 Enacted 07/20/2016 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS |
| Introduced By: Representatives Serpa, O'Brien, Shekarchi, Canario, and Ruggiero |
| Date Introduced: May 11, 2016 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Chapter 4-1 of the General Laws entitled "Cruelty to Animals" is hereby |
| amended by adding thereto the following section: |
| 4-1-43. Use of bullhooks or similar devices on elephants prohibited. – (a) |
| Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who houses, possesses, or is in direct |
| contact with an elephant utilized in a traveling show shall not: |
| (1) Use a bullhook, ankus, baseball bat, axe handle, pitchfork, or similar device designed |
| to inflict pain for the purpose of training or controlling the behavior of an elephant; or |
| (2) Permit an employee, agent, or contractor to use a bullhook, ankus, baseball bat, axe |
| handle, pitchfork, or similar device designed to inflict pain for the purpose of training or |
| controlling the behavior of an elephant. |
| (b) For purposes of this section "traveling show" means a circus, public show, trade |
| show, photographic opportunity, carnival, city or county fair, ride, parade, race, performance or |
| similar undertaking that involves transporting elephants from location to location or otherwise |
| moves elephants away from a place of permanent residency for performance purposes. The term |
| "traveling show" does not include the transportation of an elephant between nonprofit United |
| States Department of Agriculture licensed sanctuaries for the purpose of providing lifetime care. |
| (c) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than |
| five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or by both |
| such fine and imprisonment. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2017. |
| ======== |
| LC005930 |
| ======== |