PETA Statement: California Bans Bullhooks!

For Immediate Release:
August 29, 2016

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Please see the following statement from PETA Foundation Counsel and Manager of Legislative Affairs Gabe Walters regarding California’s bullhook ban, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law today:

Across the U.S., lawmakers are banning fireplace poker–like weapons called “bullhooks,” recognizing that their only purpose is to beat elephants into submission. Thanks to a bipartisan effort by the California State Legislature as well as the signature of Gov. Jerry Brown, California follows the cities of Los Angeles and Oakland and the state of Rhode Island in taking this major step toward ending cruelty to elephants. Gov. Brown has had two key animal-protection bills to sign this session: this one to protect elephants from bullhooks and one that is due to arrive on his desk to protect captive orcas from being bred for use in amusement parks. PETA is sending him a bouquet of flowers and some delicious vegan treats as a token of its thanks, and a demonstration is planned at the State Capitol on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in support of the orca bill.

PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment.”