Call To Action
August 25, 2015
Final Push: SB 716
WFA needs your help

We are sorry to report that Senate Bill 716, authored by Senator Lara, is expected to clear the legislature and be sent to the Governor's desk in September. This bill will ban the use of the elephant guide, ankus or 'bullhook' as a management tool for elephants. Western Fairs and the California Fairs Alliance have been opposed to this legislation and the author and his supporters have refused to accept any proposed compromise.

A veto by Governor Brown will be our last chance to stop SB 716, and we need your help.

At this point, there are no California fairs offering elephant rides or exhibits and we only have one member in the elephant business, Have Trunk Will Travel, so one might ask, 'Why does SB 716 matter?' The best answer is contained in this quote from the Chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee, Assembly Member Bill Quirk, as he explained his reason for abstaining from voting:

"I really think we should be outlawing behavior and intent in this committee rather than outlawing tools, because this year it's the ankus -- I don't know what it is next year."

Simply put, SB 716 establishes a dangerous precedent by outlawing a tool, rather than a practice. Fairs offer the public a rare opportunity to interact with animals from the racetrack to the petting zoo, and especially the show ring. Animals, participants and fair guests all share a unique experience at California fairs. In each case, there are specialized tools that protect the public and, in fact, protect the animals from harm or misbehavior. Show sticks in the show ring, leashes at the dog show, bits and bridles at the horse show, are examples of the importance of the tools needed to guide and manage animals at fairgrounds. SB 716 opens a door that will have serious implications for the future of human-to-animal interaction at fair.

Our efforts to seek a veto of SB 716 will have three components:
  • Letters from leadership.
    • We have attached a draft of the letter from CFA Chair Munson and WFA President Bowers. We are also drafting letters from our Ag Council leaders.
  • External Support
    • We are reaching out to the California Ag Teachers, the Farm Bureau, the Cattleman's Association, and others asking them to join our opposition effort
  • Industry Opposition
    • This is where we need your help. We know that the supporters of SB 716, the animal rights activists, will be flooding the Governor's email and social media once the bill as been sent to his desk. We would like to collect input from our members and deliver it in a single package directly to the Governor.
We need our members to take two steps:
  1. Write a letter or email to the Governor expressing your concerns with SB 716 and requesting a veto.
  2. Send those letters or emails directly to Western Fairs. 
Mail to:
Western Fairs Association
1776 Tribute Road, Suite 210
Sacramento, CA 95815

Email to:
jessica@fairsnet.org

We will then compile and deliver your correspondence.
 
Our deadline is September 10 and we plan to deliver the opposition package on Monday, September 14.

Thank you for your participation. 
We love Gary and Kari and Have Trunk Will Travel!