Re-Introduce HR 2929 the Captive Elephant Accident Prevention Act of 1999

In 1999, Congressman Sam Farr (CA) introduced the short-lived HR 2929 - The Captive Elephant Accident Prevention Act. Since 1999, an overabundance of evidence has surfaced including testimony from former circus workers, undercover videos, and federal lawsuits.
 
Having survived nearly two decades of severe abuse for training and having been taken from the wild and "broken" by circus trainers after her family was killed for their ivory; this young African elephant, Tyke, was publicly executed on August 20, 1994. She first killed her trainer, trampled a groomer and then ran rampant in the streets of Honolulu before she was finally gunned down by 87 bullets - in front of hundreds of spectators, including horrified children. She lay bleeding, agonizing and crying in the street for two more hours, until she finally died.

See the full petition and legislation link below.

Re-Introduce HR 2929 the Captive Elephant Accident Prevention Act of 1999 The USDA made history in November 2003 when it confiscated one circus elephant after it became clear that her life was in danger from abuse and neglect. As of March 5, 2004, the well known Hawthorn Corp., who rents circus elephant and big cat acts, surrendered its herd of 16 elephants to the USDA to settle charges of multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

Captive elephant attacks since 1990, have resulted in 65 human deaths and more than 130 human injuries. In 1994 Hawthorn elephant Tyke rampaged in Honolulu after killing her trainer. As a result, Tyke was gunned down by 80 some bullets. Such killings and premature deaths are common among circus elephants. In 1996, two Hawthorn circus elephants died of untreated Tuberculosis within only days of each other. Tuberculosis can spread from human to elephant and vice versa and is common among circus elephants, thus posing a public health threat to unknowing humans. In September 2003 a 241 page report was released bearing proof that the USDA routinely looks the other way when Ringling Bros. circus frequently violates the Animal Welfare Act in regards to its treatment of elephants.

Animal-free circuses are becoming quite popular as responsible citizens begin to recognize that enslaving these intelligent animals for entertainment is detrimental to the animal and the humans that come in contact with it. In March of 2004, Clyde Beatty Cole circus announced its plan to go elephant-free. The state of Tennessee voted to prohibit the use of elephants in circuses in 2004 and the city of Denver also voted on prohibition of animal circuses in August 2004.  Sadly such laws are difficult to pass due to lobbyists from the industry and old school thinking.  It is time to see legislation enforced on the Federal Level.

Congressman Bob Barr (GA) continually criticized HR 2929 during the 2000 Congressional hearing with a crass attitude asking why such a thing should take up his time. With Barr no longer a member of Congress, we now stand a much better chance of passing legislation which dictates criminal penalties for the perilous exploitation of endangered elephants.

This petition is to kindly urge Congressman Sam Farr and the other congressional sponsors of HR 2929 - The Captive Elephant Accident Prevention Act of 1999, to reintroduce the legislation (or similar legislation), to prohibit the use of elephants in circuses, traveling shows and rides.

United States citizens are fundamental to this petition but please show our congress your worldwide support as well. US registered voters and tax payers are also urged to contact your state representatives and senators and urge them to sponsor the legislation.