A cheer for New Jersey and Governor Phil Murphy who signed into law legislation that bans the use of wild or exotic animals in traveling acts, including circuses, carnivals, fairs, parades, and petting zoos.
Known as Nosey’s Law, after a 36-year-old African elephant with crippling arthritis that was forced to travel around the country to perform at roadside circuses and was chained and mistreated by her owner, it is the first of its kind in the nation. The law is effective immediately.
“These animals belong in their natural habitats or in wildlife sanctuaries, not in performances where their safety and the safety of others is at risk,’’ Gov. Murphy said in a statement.
The ban was overwhelmingly passed by the N.J’s state legislature but then sat on previous governor Chris Christie’s desk for a pocket veto.
Nosey was removed from her owners whose circus had been cited by the USDA more than 200 times. She is now living in a sanctuary in Tennessee.
A number of states are considering similar bills including New York, which last year passed a law prohibiting elephants performances in traveling shows. New York City has also banned the use of elephants in entertainment. Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Hawaii are considering similar laws.
New Jersey’s bill was co-sponsored by Senator Nilsa Cruz Perez and Assemblymen Raj Mukherji, Jamel Holley, and Andrew Zwicker. Thanks to all FoA members who showed support for the bill and called Murphy’s office to tell him to sign it into law.