The Oakland City Council took a stand on animal welfare Wednesday, voting 5 to 2 to ban the use of elephant bullhooks. The spike-tipped goads, used to exert control over large animals, will be prohibited in the city beginning in 2018.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus have already announced they will stop coming to city once the prohibition is in place. The circus company uses the devises to train their show elephants—one of many actions that have prompted criticism from animal rights groups.
David Perle, spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), praised the council’s decision, saying elephants in Oakland would now be spared from the “weapons” that resemble a fireplace poker. But Stephen Payne, who works for the company that operates Ringling Bros., called the vote unfair.
“Clearly they tried ramming this through at the eleventh hour because they probably believed they couldn't get this passed when the new council convenes in January,” Payne said. He also criticized council members for putting too much stock in the claims of animal rights activists who have no real experience with elephants.
The Los Angeles City Council voted to ban elephant bullhooks earlier this year.
Read more about Wednesday’s vote here.