Proposed Exotic Animal Law Would Effectively Ban Circuses in Willowick

A Northeast Ohio community is discussing the possibility of banning circuses that feature exotic animals.

At a Willowick City Council committee meeting Nov. 19, according to a report in the Mentor News-Herald, citizens spoke both for and against the Kelly Miller Circus, which has been coming to the lakeside community northeast of Cleveland for more than a decade.

The article said that Melissa Shy of Willowick had drafted an ordinance that would ban exotic animals from performing in the city.

“When you bring the circus to the city you are telling the residents that it is safe and it is humane, and that is simply a lie,” the News-Herald quoted her as stating during the meeting. “The animals are abused in every sense of the word. Not only are you endorsing a cruel, inhumane and outdated event, the liability issues are reasonable and justifiable.”

Shy, who said she’s not an animal-rights activist, said she has researched the treatment of exotic animals in circuses. She presented a booklet of her findings to city leaders.

Many in the audience testified that they, too, are concerned about the abuse and mistreatment of circus animals. Others raised concerns about the potential for dangerous exotic animals to escape and injure spectators.

Others, however, argued that the circus is a positive tradition that should continue without further regulation.

The News-Herald reported that Jim Royal, general manager of the Kelly Miller Circus, insisted that the animals and circus attendance are safe.

“All the alleged cruel and mistreatment of animals in the circus that is found online is distortion and lies that spread very fast,” he alleged in the article. “In Willowick, we are in a public park, people are able to see how we treat the animals and how careful the handlers are at all times.”

Royal, who didn’t attend the meeting, said the circus has gotten a clean and safe bill of health from a variety of government agencies and animal-welfare groups.

No action was taken during the council committee meeting Nov. 19, though officials anticipate further discussion. For the full article on the debate, go to the Mentor Times-Herald.