News for Florida animal advocates

It’s official. The use of bullhooks, electric shock prods and other cruel devices that are common in circuses is now prohibited in the city of Margate.

At last night’s meeting of the City Commission, commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance banning the “painful techniques and devices.” The ordinance takes effect immediately. Before the vote, Commissioner Lesa Peerman explained that at previous meetings she had asked for someone to give her a good reason why bullhooks are necessary when working with elephants. Not a single person called her to defend the use of bullhooks (conspicuously silent was the Cole Bros. Circus, who has performed in Margate the past three years).

The new ordinance in Margate is identical to an ordinance that was enacted by the City of Pompano Beach in 2000. The nearby cities of Hollywood, Lauderdale Lakes and Weston have completely banned circuses and other live animal displays.

ARFF would like to thank the many local animal advocates who attended commission meetings and/or wrote to the city in support of the ordinance.

Please contact the Mayor and City Commission and thank them for their vote to ban the use of bullhooks and other devices that cause pain and suffering to animals. Let them know that because of their compassionate stand against circus cruelty, you will make an extra effort to support businesses in the city and city events (for example, the annual Margate Street Festival, Feb. 18-19, 2012).

City of Margate
5790 Margate Boulevard
Margate, FL 33063

Mayor Pam Donovan
E-mail: pdonovan@margatefl.com

Vice Mayor David McLean
E-mail: dmclean@margatefl.com

Commissioner Lesa Peerman
E-mail: lpeerman@margatefl.com

Commissioner Frank Talerico
E-mail: ftalerico@margatefl.com

Commissioner Joseph Varsallone
E-mail: jvarsallone@margatefl.com

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