Rhode Island Says Leave Bullhooks at the State Line

Published June 13, 2014 by Jennifer O’Connor. Last Updated April 2, 2024.

< 1 min read

The Rhode Island House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging circuses and other traveling animal shows to eliminate the use of bullhooks and other “harmful training practices” that cause elephants pain. Even though the resolution is nonbinding—and we fought for an outright ban—this is certainly a first step in that direction.

Rhode Island is the first state in the United States to adopt such a resolution. Representatives also expressed concern about how captive elephants are treated in circuses and recognized that elephants are highly intelligent and family-oriented animals who have memories that span many years.

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To launch a campaign to get bullhooks banned in your county or city, contact us for free materials on how to get started.

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