Animal Advocates in Long Island Push For Ban on Exotic Animals in Traveling Shows

Finally, lawmakers in Long Island are considering a ban on exotic animals in traveling shows after the battle over sloths has become heated.

Source: CBS New York/YouTube

A popular sloth exhibit was finally shut down which led the business to begin taking the show to homes and parties. A legal battle got physical outside of the Sloth Encounters business in Long Island, CBS News reported. An animal advocate named John DiLeonardo was ordered off the property by operator Larry Wallach. DiLeonardo’s Humane Long Island has been a leading driver in the pressure to close down the animal exhibit.

Although Wallach claims that his animals are better kept than 99 percent of all other show animals, DiLeonardo is not stepping down. He is seeking a county ban on exotic animals in traveling shows.

“This isn’t just about the sloths. It’s about monkeys attached to dogs, this is about bears hauled from Florida to New York. Wild animals are thing of the past in animal circuses,” DiLeonardo said.

Legislators say that they now have bipartisan Support for a vote in the coming weeks. A law would impose a $2,500 fine for violators of exotic animals in performances ban.

We can help these animals by not supporting the businesses that exploit them. Refrain from buying tickets to circuses, zoos, or movies that use wild animals. This will leave these companies with less financial Support to keep their cruel practices going.  If the demand for exotic pets did not exist, the exotic pet trade would not exist. So, if you agree that keeping exotic animals as pets is cruel, don’t Support it either. Do not buy from pet shops or dealers. Leave the wild in the wild.

Animal shelters are filled with cats and dogs who need loving families and homes. You can also Support the legislation to ban the ownership of exotic animals. With over 200 million live animal trades having taken place since 1975, governments must crack down on this cruel trade to protect individual animals and threatened species. 

Check out these 5 Humane Ways to Be ‘Entertained’ by Animals Without Exploiting Them!

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• Ringling Bros Bring Back “The Greatest Show on Earth” But This Time, Without Any Animals!

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