Joan Jett: RI Must Pass Law Protecting Circus Elephants

Music legend Joan Jett is urging state lawmakers to pass legislation protecting circus elephants.

House Bill 7192 would prohibit trainers from using a hooked prodder on the animals. The legislation would also prohibit the constant chaining of the animals.

The prodder, or bullhook, is often used to strike elephants on a sensitive part of their skin for training purposes.

Lawmakers were scheduled to hold a hearing on the legislation Tuesday.

Below is a letter Jett wrote to lawmakers:

Dear Decision makers,

I was so pleased to learn from my friends at The Humane Society of the United States that Rhode Island is considering a ban on bullhooks and the continuous chaining of elephants used in circuses and traveling shows. I have always loved performing in The Ocean State and the passage of HB 7192/S 2189 would be beyond thrilling.

Bullhooks are heavy rods that resemble fireplace pokers with sharp metal tips; and are used to poke, prod, and hit elephants on their sensitive skin in order to “train” them often causing bloody puncture wounds and lacerations. Its mere presence keeps an elephant in constant fear and intimidation to do as he or she is told or suffer the painful consequences. I have seen several undercover videos of elephants – many of them chained or otherwise physically immobilized – being hit by animal handlers in the circus. The egregious misuse of this device which circus insiders often call “guides” is cruel and inhumane.

If someone were to use a bullhook to control and train a dog or a horse, it would be considered animal cruelty and the same should be applied to elephants. The City of Los Angeles recently banned the use of bullhooks; the Los Angeles Times editorializing “This is a smart and humane measure and should be adopted,” joining more than 35 other jurisdictions in the United States restricting the use of elephants in traveling shows and/or the use of bullhooks on elephants. I sincerely hope I can count on you to see to this bill’s passage.