Unbelievable Chris Christie; Former New Jersey Governor Made The Horrible Decision To Veto Bill That Would Ban Wild Animal Acts

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While last week it seemed like New Jersey was poised to become the first U.S. state to ban wild or exotic animal acts, this week, sadly, it is not.

In a move that is sure to upset animal advocates everywhere, former Governor Chris Christie pocket vetoed the bill to ban elephants and other exotic animals from traveling circuses and fairs on his last full day in office.

Because Christie, whose final term ended on Tuesday, did not sign the bill into law, it must begin the legislative process anew under newly-appointed Governor Phil Murphy.

Nosey’s Law, named after a 35-year-old elephant that was subjected to extreme abuse on the circus circuit, recently passed the Senate unanimously and the Assembly with only two votes against it.

The plight of Nosey, an elephant who for years was forced to give rides at circuses and fairs despite suffering painful arthritis and degenerative joint disease, has generated protests and petitions across the country

It also prompted Democratic Assemblyman Raj Mukherji and Senator Raymond Lesniak to introduce the landmark legislation, that reportedly included an amendment introduced late in the process that diminished the chances of Governor Christie signing the measure.

“Despite the Legislature overwhelmingly approving of the legislation to ban wild animal acts, in the final days of the administration, Governor Christie did not act on Nosey’s Law,” Brian Hackett, New Jersey state director for the HSUS said in a statement. “We will work to introduce a revised bill, work to secure its rapid approval, and put it in front of Governor Phil Murphy for his approval.”

Five states and more than 135 other localities in 37 states have enacted restrictions regarding the use of wild animals in circuses. In 2017, New York state and Illinois passed bills prohibiting the use of elephants in traveling shows and numerous localities, including Los Angeles and New York City, banning wild animals in traveling animal acts.

The former governor did sign another bill, S3558, which overhauls how animal cruelty law is enforced in the state. The bill shifts enforcement of the state’s animal-cruelty laws to county prosecutors, who must appoint a chief humane law enforcement officer in each county, assisted by humane law enforcement officers hired by each municipality within each county.