Urge the Atlanta City Council to Pass a Total Bullhook Ban!

An ordinance passed by the Atlanta City Council on June 18, while well intentioned, is unenforceable and will not protect elephants used in circuses from abuse. The new ordinance prohibits the use of bullhooks (rods with a sharp metal hook and point on the end that are used to strike, jab, hook, prod, and beat elephants on the most sensitive parts of their bodies) only when a witness comes forward to attest that they were used to "punish" or "discipline" an elephant and that the specific incident resulted in the elephant's skin being observably broken, scarred, or otherwise damaged—an almost impossible task given that handlers commonly strike elephants in places that hide the wounds, such as behind the ears or under the chin.

Virtually identical legislation in California has failed to prevent the abuse of elephants used in circuses, as evidenced by numerous documented incidents of bullhook abuse that were never prosecuted.

The Atlanta City Council needs to take meaningful action and pass a total ban on any use of the bullhook—a proposal that two councilmembers recently introduced. Please contact the Atlanta City Council today and politely urge the councilmembers to do the right thing and put an end to all elephant abuse.

Feel free to use the sample letter provided, but remember that personalization helps ensure that your message is read. Most importantly, please be sure to note any ties that you have to Atlanta. Did you go to school there? Do you attend conferences there? Vacation there? Travel there for other events? These things matter to the councilmembers.

Send polite comments to:

The Honorable Kasim Reed
Mayor of Atlanta
mayorreed@atlantaga.gov

Ceasar Mitchell
Council President
ccmitchell@atlantaga.gov

Please also e-mail Atlanta Council Member's using these e-mail addresses:

csmith@atlantaga.gov; khall@atlantaga.gov; ilyoung@atlantaga.gov; cwinslow@atlantaga.gov; narchibong@atlantaga.gov; awan@atlantaga.gov; hshook@atlantaga.gov; yadrean@atlantaga.gov; fmoore@atlantaga.gov; cmartin@atlantaga.gov; kbottoms@atlantaga.gov; hlwillis@atlantaga.gov;
jmsheperd@atlantaga.gov; mbond@atlantaga.gov; aaronwatson@atlantaga.gov;

We encourage you to use your own words, but feel free to use this sample letter.