Breaking News! Newark City Council Halts Bill To Ban Circuses

Much to the dismay of Newark, Ohio Councilmember Mark Fraizer, a bill he sponsored and expected to pass was negated yesterday before making it to the full council for a vote.

Shockingly no one seconded Fraizer’s motion to vote on the law which would have banned circuses or carnivals with wild or exotic animals from the city.

“As part of our oath we’re supposed to adhere to our ordinances, the state of Ohio and the Constitution, part of that is establishing justice as well as protecting the general welfare, said Frazier who argued that circuses violate existing city laws that pertain to animal cruelty, but currently are exempt from those laws.

The measure would not have forbidden permits from being issued to events where “wild or exotic animals are required to perform tricks, fight or participate as accompaniments for entertainment, amusement, or benefit of an audience.

Corey Roscoe, the state director for the Humane Society of the United States, and Tim Harrison, with Outreach for Animals, also rallied for the law to advance to be voted on.

Outreach for Animals is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating young people to respect wildlife and its natural habitat. 

Among the reasons other council members gave for not supporting the legislation was that “circuses do not visit the city frequently.”

The fact that they visit at all is a problem.

More information and donations to Outreach For Animals, a “for-impact organization that saves lives, transforms lives and changes lives,” can be found Here!