THIS BILL NEEDS TO BE WIDELY CHALLENGED, PLEASE TAKE ACTION – ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IN WASHINGTON STATE.

House Bill 2824 will ban certain animals at “any exhibition, public showing, presentation, display, exposition, fair, animal act, circus, ride, trade show, petting zoo, carnival, parade, race, or similar undertaking…
“HB2824 is sponsored by Representatives Appleton, Walen, and Pollet. It was referred to the House Public Safety Committee. Currently the bill excludes domestic horses and cattle but that could easily be amended in the future and includes many other species.
Text of bill: http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2019-20/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2824.pdf?q=20200124092600&fbclid=IwAR0oX4BSqdFoJ215XFFrn8IZ2msrWS9js2TfnW-7Zh6GGC2gIwiYNiuWof4

As introduced, it includes the species and any hybrids below:(I) ARTIODACTYLA, excluding domestic cattle, bison, American buffalo, water buffalo, yak, zebu, gayal, bali cattle, suidae, sheep, llamas, or alpacas;
(II) CAMELIDAE;
(III) CANIDAE, including any hybrids thereof, but excluding domestic dogs;
(IV) CROCODILIA;
(V) ELASMOBRANCHII;
(VI) ELEPHANTIDAE;
(VII) FELIDAE, including any hybrids thereof, but excluding domestic cats;
(VIII) MARSUPIALIA;
(IX) NONHUMAN PRIMATE;
(X) PERISSODACTYLA, excluding domestic horses, ponies, donkeys, or mules;
(XI) PINNIPEDIA; and
(XII) URSIDAE.The only exemption applies to a program “that takes place at a nonmobile, permanent institution or other fixed facility.”The bill has been referred to the Committee on Public Safety.Email list: Sherry.Appleton@leg.wa.gov, Gerry.Pollet@leg.wa.gov, Amy.Walen@leg.wa.gov, Roger.Goodman@leg.wa.gov, Lauren.Davis@leg.wa.gov, Brad.Klippert@leg.wa.gov, Robert.Sutherland@leg.wa.gov, Jenny.Graham@leg.wa.gov, Dan.Griffey@leg.wa.gov, John.Lovick@leg.wa.gov, Tina.Orwall@leg.wa.gov, Mike.Pellicciotti@leg.wa.gov, Eric.Pettigrew@leg.wa.gov

Link to Committee information:
http://leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/PS/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1f-6j8ofE_0hJdEvfZtJ-8ILjh-_5wjNDtpygojsF3K9TTW1sTNhlAiYY

Points to include in your messaging:
• I oppose House Bill 2824. Washington already has extensive animal cruelty laws including Chapter 16.52 RCW titled Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
• Current laws are adequate to protect animals in Washington State and should be enforced;
• This bill will have far-reaching, unintended consequences and hurt many animal industries in Washington State – taking away citizen’s rights to enjoy many activities involving animals;
• Reject the propaganda advanced by animal extremists who wish to ban the use of animals in industry, sport and recreation and listen to the experts who interact with these animals on a daily basis.