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I support this bill. There is literally no downside to supporting it.

I’ve been an Animal Control Officer for 32 years (Chesterfield first and now City of Richmond), I’m a past president of the National Animal Control Association, and a past-president and current Board member of the Virginia Animal Control Association. Training is so fundamentally important. Some important reasons for increased continuing education I would share are: 1. The Virginia Animal Control Officer Basic Training Standards increased to a required minimum of 120 hours effective 07/01/2021. It was previously 92 hours. Therefore, the continuing education requirement needs to increase as well to stay consistent with the increased ACO Basic hours. 2. The 15-hour continuing education requirement has been in effect since 1999 and has never been increased. 3. Nearly all the animal related codes since 1999 have expanded or have come into existence, such as Dangerous/Vicious dogs, Animal Cruelty (recent felony upgrade), Animal Abandonment, Care of Companion Animals, etc. Animal Control Officers in Virginia must keep up with the ever changing and improving laws, technology, tasks, enforcement, etc. required of a modern ACO. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Respectfully Robert Leinberger

Animal Control officers absolutely need more training. There are two officers in my county. One is fairly new and seems to know the law. The other doesn’t bother keeping up with legislative and case law changes. It’s exhausting having to pull out a copy of the code and read it to him. Disgraceful.

HB206 I SUPPORT this bill. All pet shops should be accountable for the animals in their possession and transparent as to their health and welfare HB221 Vote NO on this bill. As written, this bill ignores the many Virginia communities that are successfully/humanely managing free-roaming cat populations. Its current language leaves the door open for inhumane policies like catch and kill. I do NOT SUPPORT this bill HB223 I SUPPORT this bill HB330 I SUPPORT this bill, but no pet shop should EVER offer consumer credit for an animal HB580 I SUPPORT this bill. Testing facilities should be totally transparent!! HB804 I do NOT Support this bill. The orginal language is the preferred language and there is no reason that the case cannot be heard within 30 days. You are allowing too much leeway to string out the case HB62 I SUPPORT this bill. Anumal Cruelty offenders should be known to the public just like sex offenders. There absolutely should be a list! HB9 I SUPPORT this bill

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Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant

Alexandria is a vibrant city based on history, culture, a waterfront and lots of tourism. If Virginia has money and space to build an arena then you have money and space to build new schools. Our school system is deplorable. It’s overcrowded. Think of your citizens before thinking about your quick money grab that eventually leads to an inevitable loss. We don’t want or need an arena. This is pure greed.

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I fully support this bill. It is cruel to declaw cats. It results in various behavioral problems that result in cats being surrendered to shelters and sometimes euthanized.

HB1354 | Martinez | Cats; prohibition on declawing, civil penalty. Tigers do not need declawing either. I just saw a Vet Show where they just trimmed the nails of a tiger they had neutered. No problem. Great back in his outdoor sanctuary with his neighbor tiger, but now are together. Can you amend this bill to include NOT declawing ANY cats? Please! And sent it with the crossover? Meowy, Kathy

HB1354 | Martinez | Cats; prohibition on declawing, civil penalty. You wouldn't take the hooves off a horse, nor the claws off a dog or wolf.

HB1354 | Martinez | Cats; prohibition on declawing, civil penalty. The ban should be against declawing ANY cat, wild or in zoos, or at home or in the community. I think it should say - "Cat" means any domesticated species of the family Felidae, in addition to any wild or nonnative species of the family Felidae. It should NOT say - … Felidae and does not include any wild or nonnative species of the family Felidae. Who gets the fine? The pet owner, the vet, or both? Try both. ==== Support because: Cats need their claws to defend themselves against predators, other cats and other animals, to catch bugs, rodents, reptiles, etc., and to scratch on bark or scratching posts, and to climb up and down trees. Declawing cats is illegal in many states and countries for good reasons. Even veterinarians are against it. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/why-declawing-bad-your-cat Declawing is banned or considered unethical in dozens of countries around the world. In the U.S., New York, Maryland, the District of Columbia and more than a dozen cities have banned declawing. The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association oppose declawing and tendonectomies except in rare cases when it’s necessary for medical purposes, such as the removal of cancerous nail bed tumors. How does declawing harm my cat? Declawing can cause nerve damage, phantom pain, pain from bone fragments left behind or arthritis, and pain-related behavior issues like biting and avoiding the litter box. For these reasons and more, a growing number of veterinary organizations oppose declawing. Scratching is a normal, instinctive cat behavior. Cats have a need to scratch. They do it to express emotions, like excitement or stress, to mark objects with their scent (they have scent glands in their paws), to remove the dead part of their nails and, often, just to get a good stretch. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-stop-cats-destructive-scratching THANKS for thinking of this bill to ban declawing of cats.

HB1354 | Martinez | Cats; prohibition on declawing, civil penalty. Support because: Cats need their claws to defend themselves against predators, other cats and other animals, to catch bugs, rodents, reptiles, etc., and to scratch on bark or scratching posts, and to climb up and down trees. Declawing cats is illegal in many states and countries for good reasons. Even veterinarians are against it. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/why-declawing-bad-your-cat Declawing is banned or considered unethical in dozens of countries around the world. In the U.S., New York, Maryland, the District of Columbia and more than a dozen cities have banned declawing. The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association oppose declawing and tendonectomies except in rare cases when it’s necessary for medical purposes, such as the removal of cancerous nail bed tumors. How does declawing harm my cat? Declawing can cause nerve damage, phantom pain, pain from bone fragments left behind or arthritis, and pain-related behavior issues like biting and avoiding the litter box. For these reasons and more, a growing number of veterinary organizations oppose declawing. Scratching is a normal, instinctive cat behavior. Cats have a need to scratch. They do it to express emotions, like excitement or stress, to mark objects with their scent (they have scent glands in their paws), to remove the dead part of their nails and, often, just to get a good stretch. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-stop-cats-destructive-scratching THANKS for thinking of this bill to ban declawing of cats.

Mr. Chair and members of the subcommittee, My name is Heidi Crosky and I am reaching out to you on behalf of the Virginia Animal Owners Alliance. We have serious concerns regarding the declaw bill and ask that you please vote against it. This legislation is yet another attempt to dictate the every action of the pet owner. Whether you like the idea of declawing or not, there are legitimate reasons that some owners make this decision for themselves and their pet. Supporters of this bill tell us it is unnatural, modifies behavior, leads to health problems, and is a permanent alteration. All of these same arguments could be used AGAINST spaying and neutering and yet we rarely hear them. In fact, Senator Stanley is sponsoring a bill about sterilization while also being named as a patron of HB 1354! Everyone has an opinion on what types of "modifications" are appropriate when it comes to our pets, but these medical decisions should be made between an owner and their veterinarian. This is no place for the government. HB 1354 also chooses to ignore the reality of certain pet owners. The elderly or those with compromised immune systems must take extra precautions if they want to share their home with a cat. The VAOA also has serious concerns about how this law will be enforced and by whom. What kind of mechanism will be in place to protect cat owners who have already chosen to have their cats declawed from baseless investigations? It might sound far-fetched, but the Animal Law Unit is overzealous and has a pattern of targeting innocent animal owners. How will the State ensure that owners of declawed cats do not suffer harassment by neighbors, animal control, and the Animal Law Unit? Laws are supposed to give us more stability in our daily lives--not open Pandora's box. Please oppose this effort in micromanagement. The issues at stake involve a lot more than cats. Sincerely, Heidi Crosky, Virginia Animal Owners Alliance

Declawing is a cruel, invasive procedure that is often done for the convenience of the owner, not for the benefit of the cat. It involves amputating the last part of a cat's front toes. A comparison in humans would be cutting off a person's finger at the last joint. There are numerous, effective, humane options to prevent cats from scratching. Furthermore, declawing leads to postsurgical complications in 1 in 2 cats and to behavioral problems in 1 in 3 cats. The City of Los Angeles saw a 43% reduction in cat surrenders after adopting a declawing ban. The American Association of Feline Practitioners opposes declawing.

Declawing or onychectomy is a surgery that involves the removal of the last bone of all toes on the front feet and severs the tendons, nerves, and ligaments that enable for normal functioning of the paws. Several studies have demonstrated adverse effects secondary to the procedure including chronic pain, increased bite behavior, increased risk of arthritis and spinal problems resulting from a palmigrade/plantigrade (hyperextended) stance, chronic stress responses such as chronic respiratory infections, inappropriate urination, and litterbox behaviors resulting from foot/pad pain in contact with certain types of litter. Because declaw procedures involve removing bones from the foot, it changes how a cat stands and distributes weight on their feet. Imagine how walking without toes would change your posture and gait! Long-term arthritis (spine, shoulders, hips, feet) can develop secondary to this unnatural posture. Some cats can even suffer a phenomenon similar to phantom limb pain in humans, maintaining a constant limp or seeking relief by holding up their feet when sitting. While scratching is a natural behavior of all cats, including wild felids, there are so many other options that yield FAR more desirable results while being less debilitating and cruel and declawing IS cruel. Many of these options can be done at home by owners, such as nail trimming or application of nail caps, and veterinarians/vet techs are happy to assist or teach pet owners how to perform these procedures safely. Providing scratching surfaces is also a good alternative, especially when mounted to cat trees where a cat can put their weight into scratching. Sometimes, however, it's not the cat's behavior, but the owner's behavior, that is the root of the problem. People think it's cute to use their hands as toys when playing with kittens but when the kitten grows up and continues this play behavior using adult paws/claws, it's not so funny. Still, this behavior can be redirected without mutilating the cat's paws. Owner education is a more effective tool than declawing because, as long as these poor play habits continue, what was a scratch from a clawed cat, will become a bite in the declawed cat. There is no good reason to declaw which is why so many compassionate and forward-thinking states (and countries) have banned this cruel and unnecessary practice. I sincerely hope the Commonwealth of Virginia also has the heart to ban the mutilation of cats. For more information on complications resulting from declawing surgery please see: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1082868/ Thank you

SUPPORT. Declawing cats is barbaric. It must stop.

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Alexandria is a vibrant city based on history, culture, a waterfront and lots of tourism. If Virginia has money and space to build an arena then you have money and space to build new schools. Our school system is deplorable. It’s overcrowded. Think of your citizens before thinking about your quick money grab that eventually leads to an inevitable loss. We don’t want or need an arena. This is pure greed.

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Please support HB1531 to end the use of the bullhook. The board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (a respected accrediting organization, unlike the ZAA who has commented here) that previously defended bullhooks as essential management tools, voted in 2019 to phase out the instrument’s use in routine elephant care and training by the start of 2021. It also approved a statement of intent to completely end the use of bullhooks except in emergencies and non-routine medical care by 2023. The decisions will affect about 30 zoos that still use bullhooks to varying degrees, according to the AZA. California and Rhode Island have banned the use of bullhooks, as have as more than a dozen city and county governments around the country, Virginia should be on that list as well.

Please listen on the attachment to elephants in "training" being tortured with bull hooks. http://www.peta.org/blog/california-state-senate-votes-to-ban-bullhooks/?utm_campaign=090415%20PETA%20E-News&utm_source=PETA%20E-Mail&utm_medium=E-News

VOTE YES IN HB1531! While I see several comments here claiming there to be nothing wrong with using bullhooks. They're a needed tool. That could not be farther from the truth. Just because a practice has held true for many years doesn't make it right! As a growing elephant expert I can assure you there are plenty of ways of training and control that NEVER required pain or intimidation. Elephants are a highly endangered animals. They are prehistoric and carry within themselves 1000s of years of ancestral knowledge. They have deep and meaningful mourning rituals when one of their herd passes away. The dendrites of their brains are 400x longer than those in the human brain. There are NOT laws that protect Elephants in this state. Current laws so NOT apply to elephants. The bullhook is specifically designed to cause pain. To be used in areas of soft tissue. The thickness if their skin has NO bearing in this discussion. This law is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for protection. Claiming that "proper use...." also has no weight here because, as we are all fully aware, people do not do things properly. Roadside torcher chambers like the Natural Bridge Zoo leave us no choice but to enact stronger and more detailed laws to curtail and prosecute devils like the Mogenson's and others from doing further harm. NOW, not later. We have a duty to protect the lesser of us. An ordained direction. I am not a vegetarian, I am a meat eater. However, at NO time do I think its ok to hurt, scare, or abuse ANY animal for our consumption or amusment. Our practices must be reviewed, regulated, and humane. Anything less is simply unacceptable. Dear Sirs/Madame I explore you to vote YES on HB1531 and protect these animals.

The members of the Virginia Animal Owners Alliance urge you to vote "no" on HB 1531. Please don't let PETA shape Virginia law! PETA has publicly thanked Delegate Tran for sponsoring this legislation. In subcommittee it quickly became apparent that this extreme group is VERY involved with this bill. Delegate Tran used PETA terminology and arguments in her presentation as reasons the "bullhook" should be banned. Daphna Nachminovitch of PETA was then given the floor. She testified she brought a bullhook into the building, but that Delegate Tran was not allowed to bring it into the room. THIS CONFIRMS HOW CLOSELY THESE TWO ARE WORKING TOGETHER. Daphna and her fellow lobbyist positioned themselves as experts on baby elephant training and presented large photos from the Ringling Center for Elephant Conservation. To someone who has no education or practical experience, she sounded legitimate. You would never know that teaching tethers to baby elephants is a vital component in preparing them for future veterinary care. What these photos demonstrate is the proper method of elephant training by a team of professional elephant handlers. The problem is that most of the general public and the members of our legislative body, have no experience with elephant training or handling. PETA is building on this lack of knowledge and giving people THEIR perspective. PETA teaches little children to not ride horses. They are opposed to the horse racing industry which is trying to make a comeback in Virginia. If we showed Daphna a picture of a horse in a bitting rig or a girl lunging her horse with a whip, we doubt she would approve. PETA works to ban animal interaction across the country and around the world. If they succeed in passing this bill, it will not affect Asha--but it will lay a foundation to ban THE SAME TOOLS that are used with cattle and other livestock such as the 4-H show stick and cattle prod. The elephant trainer that is pictured in these photos is Gary Jacobson. He gave an interview to NBC News back in 2009 when these same photos were released to the public. It turns out that Sam Haddock gave Gary many of the same pictures he later released to PETA and Gary had saved them in his own albums. He contested some of the claims, explained his methods, and described how training has evolved over the years. Of course, Gary's statements were not brought up by Daphna. Neither was the fact that Sam Haddock passed away shortly after making his declaration to PETA. It was noted in the NBC News article that a dead man cannot be cross-examined. If you look up Sam Haddock's declaration to PETA, it shows how HE abused two elephants in his care--Vance and Major. It is horrifying to read. SUCH ILL TREATMENT OF AN ANIMAL IS ALREADY ILLEGAL UNDER 3.2-6570. This behavior speaks volumes about Sam and his own issues. He CHOSE to use these tools in this way. Daphna did NOT read this part of the declaration to the subcommittee. The General Assembly has already outlawed such abusive behavior regardless of the species and regardless of the implement. Please don't ban a legitimate training and handling tool simply because of the guilty confessions of one man with anger issues. Please don't try to score points with PETA supporters--it will do nothing but hurt our agriculture industry. The oldest continuous law-making body in the Western Hemisphere is better than this. Sincerely, Heidi Crosky, Virginia Animal Owners Alliance

My name is Dr. Kelly George and I am the Executive Director of the Zoological Association of America (ZAA). I submit these comments in opposition to HB 1531 regarding elephants. What the bill refers to as a bullhook is a recognized elephant husbandry tool that when used probably increases elephant welfare rather than lessens it. I am formally trained in Anthrozoology with a focus on One Welfare, which includes non-human animal, human, and environmental wellbeing. I am a former Associate Professor of Animal Sciences, have multiple peer-reviewed publications and presentations focused on zoo animal welfare, and serve as a professional consultant in the area of animal welfare. ZAA is a non-profit, membership-based accrediting organization dedicated to responsible wildlife management, conservation and education. ZAA has more than sixty (60) accredited facilities , including several here in Virginia, such as the nearby Metro Richmond Zoo. While none of ZAA’s Virginia members have elephants in their collections other ZAA members do and all of them utilize this tool to some degree. The elephant guide is an animal husbandry tool that allows for the safe management of elephants in human care and its use is regulated by the federal government (the USDA). The guide has long been considered a part of proper elephant care and husbandry, as it serves as an extension of the trainer’s arm. In many respects, it is no different than the tools that are used to humanely manage other large animals such as horses and cows. Just like a show stick with cattle it allows the handler to safely and humanely control and direct the animal. As with those other tools it helps ensure both animal and human safety. This tool also is important to facilitating veterinary procedures with elephants. To that end it should be noted that the American Veterinary Medical Association has a policy in place that recognizes the elephant guide as a legitimate and beneficial tool for animal management. . https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/elephant-guides-and-tethers.The Elephant Managers Association, made up of professional elephant caregivers, also recognizes the positive benefits of the guide. https://elephantmanagers.com/ Abuse of elephants, including by misuse of a guide, is already prohibited under federal and state law and would also violate ZAA’s standards. Use of the guide can enrich the elephant’s life and allow the professional caregiver to build trust with the animal that allows for better care. Limiting the trained professionals’ ability to determine how best to care for these animals can lead to diminished veterinary care, lack of enrichment and could put the caregivers at risk. Zoo elephant populations have been declining for years which is a double tragedy given the significant threats to elephants in their native habitats. Restricting the ability of professionals to care for elephants in what they believe is best for the animal will only further that trend. I urge you not to allow the emotional yet misinformed arguments of proponents of this legislation to sway you. While there are few if any elephants in Virginia we urge you not to support this bill simply because it may not directly impact anyone in Virginia today as it would make it less likely that your constituents will ever have the chance to see live elephants here again in the future. Please visit ZAA.org or contact me at info@zaa.org if you have questions. Thank you.

Comments Document

I am submitting these comments in SUPPORT of the adoption of HB 1531 on behalf of The Elephant Advocacy Project (TEAP). TEAP encourages the Commonwealth of Virginai to join growing numbers of States and local governments across the United States are enacting legislation like HB1531. There is a volume of scientific data that evidence of the physical and psychological damage done to captive elephants due to the conditions of captivity and forced performance (riding, circus performance, and other exhibition) and the physically abusive negative reinforcement used to control them with “free contact” handling with a bullhook. Elephant riding, circus performances, and other forms of “free contact” elephant exhibition for entertainment are predicated on sustained physical abuse, trauma, domination, and severe confinement, each of which does scientifically documented harm to the physical and psychological welfare of elephants. EVERY captive “free contact” handled elephants is forced to submit to being ridden and perform through the use of physical threats and abusive negative reinforcement that continues throughout the elephant’s life. In the traveling circuses, such reminder beatings are called a “tune up.” Undercover video of what this entails can be seen here https://youtu.be/dhf6bYDJQqs?si=o0rSvsUmiLifcA8g . Bullhooks, electric prods, nails, or other such weapons to inflict pain are used in the most sensitive areas of the elephant’s body, including inside ear and behind the ear, in the mouth, trunk, in the mammary glands, and even in the anus. These punishing techniques are systematic abuse and traumatize the elephant. During public exhibition, the bullhook or other such weapon is used poke and prod the elephant in sensitive parts of its body as a reminder to do as the handler says or else there will be painful consequences of not obeying. In effect, the handlers use the elephant’s exceptional memory against it. The constant pressure of physical discomfort, threats, confinement, and infliction of pain traumatize the elephant, which can ultimately make it more dangerous and unpredictable. According to court documents submitted with the warrant on December 6, 2023, submitted by the Commonwealth of Virginia Attorney General as part of their investigation of animal abuse at Natural Bridge Zoo included eye witness testimony of mistreatment of African Elephant Asha. In the sworn statement, the witness said NBZ elephant handler Mark Easley, who has been the handler of Asha at NBZ for the last 15 years including handling her during elephant rides, stated the bullhook should be used to “always jab them where bone is dose to flesh and .”make it count” and continued that “the only reason to hit an elephant is for intimidation”. Other evidence of Asha's abuse suffered at NBZ was also provided. An elephant being handled “free contact” using a bullhook or other negative reinforcement object is doing what they are commanded to as out of fear of painful consequences and any “handler control” only exists until the second elephant is more frightened by something else or has just reached a breaking point and cannot tolerate abusive treatment any longer and tries to run away or lashes out. .

Send ASHA the Elephant to true sanctuary.

Ban Hooks for elephants in captivity ! Leave these animals alone !

Please support HB1531 to ban bullhooks. Bull Hooks only purpose is to inflict terrible pain and control intelligent animals using fear. There are kinder ways to encourage elephants to comply.

Quoting Staunton News Leader, Lyra Bordelon “More direct abuse was also allegedly witnessed by the first informant. Easley, who has worked at the zoo for over 15 years, carries a bullhook, a “pole with a metal hook and metal tip used in training and controlling elephants by applying pressure to sensitive points on an elephant’s body,” according to the warrant.” “[Mark Easley] He also allegedly gave Asha cold baths because he does not want to “baby them too much.” The baths were necessary for Asha to fulfill one of her jobs — giving rides.” “In October, a second confidential informant and Bozcar paid admission to enter the zoo and saw Asha in an open area, the only water “outside of the fenced area, requiring her to reach over/through a hotwire fence to drink.” A hotwire fence contains an electrical charge and shocks those that touch it. “Asha sways and rocks from side to side in order to soothe herself and relieve boredom and stress. On several dates, she was seen swaying and rocking for up to an hour at a time. Asha often tries to create mud holes by digging in the dirt and adding water from her trough, but each time she attempted this natural behavior, the zoo filled in the holes…” “More direct abuse was also allegedly witnessed by the first informant. Easley, who has worked at the zoo for over 15 years, carries a bullhook, a “pole with a metal hook and metal tip used in training and controlling elephants by applying pressure to sensitive points on an elephant’s body,” according to the warrant.” [The informant] saw [Easley] jab Asha in her right forefoot two times with the pointed end of a bullhook with enough force to get a reaction from Asha,” the warrant reads. “When he did this, she immediately lifted her right foot, and shifted where she was standing. This jabbing happened during the time elephant rides were available…” “Over the course of several months, Easley allegedly explained his reasoning to the informant, saying “it is about authority. I'm not her friend, I'm her boss, and you gain respect through fear.” He allegedly felt his role was to gain “keeper respect” from the park animals. In order to get this with Asha, Easley advised the bullhook “always” be used where “bone is close to flesh. Make it count.” ____ My comment: Asha is one of many captive elephants in zoos and circuses suffering physically and mentally due to the abuse of the bull hook. She has suffered for decades. The bullhook is a tool of cruelty and abuse, invoking pain and fear. EVERY SINGLE DAY OF HER LIFE for 40 years. Yes to HB 1531 - to provide protection for Asha and every other elephant traveling in circuses through Virginia. Remove the cruel bullhook! Ms. Kim Reid Hogan Voices for Asha the Elephant

Elephants are endangered species. They need this protection. This bill should be an easy YES. Only those who may wish to profit or exploit wildlife and elephants would want this bill to be .defeated I am a Virginia resident and I am not speaking for an animal group or organization. I am speaking for myself and several neighbors who feel using bullhooks are abusive to elephants and shameful.

I support this bill. Please make it illegal to use bull hooks on elephants in the State of Virginia.

This will cause unrulinessno banning bull hooks, they are an etension of the arm...no different then leashes and the dog chocker with spikes hurt a dog worse...Elephants skin is so tough check the difference. they are NEVER used unless needed

Please ban the use of bullhooks and other cruel instruments of torture on elephants. Elephants are intelligent, sentient, social, majestic beings who are devoted to their young and need their elephant herds. Please act out of kindness and respect to elephants and other wild and exotic animals, always. Thank you, thank you, Judy

As an organization dedicated to removing captive elephants from their cruel lives in zoos and circuses, we support HB1531. Bullhooks are instruments of torture for elephants. With their curved spiked ends, bullhooks are used to poke at sensitive areas of the elephant, such as the ears, around the eyes, behind the feet and ankles, around the anus or vagina, etc. in a rude and painful attempt to "master" over the elephant. Handlers train elephants with bullhooks to instill fear and, therefore, compliance - so much so that the elephant need only see the torturous instrument to comply with a command. Trainers have routinely beaten the elephants in their "care" to force the elephants into painful poses and circus tricks. Asha, the lone elephant at the Natural Bridge Zoo, has been cruelly controlled with bullhooks for decades. Her handlers have admitted that they have treated her as a commodity for years in testimony during recent litigation regarding the zoo. Bullhooks must be removed from use in the state. Speak up for the elephants! We implore you to VOTE YES on HB 1531.

I am asking that you please vote ‘Yes’ on HB1531. Bullhooks are cruel and cause suffering to the Elephants. They are used to put fear into the Elephant . It is now 2024, not 1954. People are now more educated and compassionate and understand that animals are not on this Earth to be used, exploited and abused by humans. Our relationship with animals is a gift. They deserve respect and kindness. The people who don’t want this Bill to pass are those who make their living off of using, and abusing Elephants. They don’t care for them any more than Asha’s handler at The Natural Bridge Zoo cared for her. Please, for the sake of the beautiful, loving, intelligent animals, vote ‘yes’ and pass this bill. Thank you

I am asking that you please vote ‘Yes’ on HB1531. Bullhooks are cruel and cause suffering to the Elephants. They are used to put fear into the Elephant . It is now 2024, not 1954. People are now more educated and compassionate and understand that animals are not on this Earth to be used, exploited and abused by humans. Our relationship with animals is a gift. They deserve respect and kindness. The people who don’t want this Bill to pass are those who make their living off of using, and abusing Elephants. They don’t care for them any more than Asha’s handler at The Natural Bridge Zoo cared for her. Please, for the sake of the beautiful, loving, intelligent animals, vote ‘yes’ and pass this bill. Thank you

Please BAN this cruel practice on elephants. There are other more humane ways to move the elephant, which was not put on this earth for our entertainment.

Recent testimony in the case of Asha at the Natural Bridge Zoo, in Natural Bridge, Virginia, where she is held captive, on display for the public, and to give rides: More direct abuse was also allegedly witnessed by the first informant. Easley, who has worked at the zoo for over 15 years, carries a bull hook, a “pole with a metal hook and metal tip used in training and controlling elephants by applying pressure to sensitive points on an elephant’s body,” according to the warrant. “[The informant] saw [Easley] jab Asha in her right forefoot two times with the pointed end of a bull hook with enough force to get a reaction from Asha,” the warrant reads. “When he did this, she immediately lifted her right foot, and shifted where she was standing. This jabbing happened during the time elephant rides were available, but no guests were nearby, and at the time [Easley] was sitting in a chair and Asha was standing at the loading platform. I asked [Easley] why he ‘poked’ Asha in her foot ‘the other day, and he told me that she was ‘spitting in [his] direction.’ During our conversation [Easley] told Asha move up, and then swung the hooked end of a bull hook against her left hind limb, after which she moved forwards.” Over the course of several months, Easley allegedly explained his reasoning to the informant, saying “it is about authority. I’m not her friend, I’m her boss, and you gain respect through fear.” He allegedly felt his role was to gain “keeper respect” from the park animals. In order to get this with Asha, Easley advised the bullhook “ALWAYS BE USED WHERE "BONE IS CLOSE TO FLESH, MAKE IT COUNT.” Does this sound like a responsible "guide" to gently direct an elephant? The bull hook is used as a weapon to control an elephant and it depends on who is on the end of the bull hook as to its use. Obviously, Asha is not one of the "lucky" elephants that has a responsible, law-abiding handler. He uses the bull hook as a cruel instrument on Asha. This is just one of many documentations recorded on the abuse of bull hooks and other weapons, used on elephants. Laws must be enacted to protect the animals based on abusers using the bull hook in ways that are cruel and abusive. The bull hook is an instrument of fear, used to teach an elephant who is boss, and if the elephant does not obey every command, the user of the bull hook will torment the elephant, teaching them a lesson by severely beating them. And... the elephant may not have done anything to prompt this cruelty. It has been documented numerous times and proven as fact. Even in Virginia, this is what is happening. PLEASE PASS HB1531

Hello, Regarding the ban of the ancient traditional elephant handling tool, the ankus, it is not supposed to be used for harming elephants. It *could* be used this way by an animal abuser (as could almost anything) - which would be illegal. The ankus is very useful for proper and safe elephant handling. It is somewhat similar to a dog leash. A dog leash is very useful for proper and safe dog handling, but could be used by an animal abuser to drag and choke the dog - but this does not mean it makes sense to ban dog leashes. The AZA began phasing out the ankus only in 2019 - it held out so long because they knew the allegations made by anti-zoo organizations against the tool were false, and because the tool is very useful. But they got tired of being slandered. The ZAA (another large organization of zoos and aquariums) has not phased out the tool. Please dont ban useful tools for the safe handling of potentially dangerous animals. If someone were to abuse an elephant with it - that is already illegal. Stephanie

I oppose this bill regarding the use of hooks for use in animal training. I oppose the over reach of the state to interfere in animal husbandry techniques that have been in use by animal experts for a long time. Any tool can be abused, but if done properly it can be an effective tool that shouldn't be prohibited. The state animal law unit needs oversight, less power, and checks and balances, not more.power.

Hello, The bill "Prohibits using devices such as a bullhook . . . in order to discipline, train, or control the behavior of an elephant. . . any person who uses such devices . . . is subject to a civil penalty." I happen to have grown up with a mother who was an elephant handler for decades and know the history here. The bullhook is known as an ankus or ankusha, and has been used for thousands of years in India for elephant training. It is depicted in ancient Hindu iconography. This traditional tool is not supposed to be used for abusing the elephant but as a method of touching certain points on the body to trigger moving the feet, etc. I watched elephant handlers do this countless hours throughout my childhood. Of course elephant abuse should be illegal (it already is!!!) but the ankus is not for this purpose. If someone were to beat an elephant with an ankus, a stick, or anything else - that is already illegal. Please do not ban the traditional (useful!) tool of elephant handling over misinformation. I'm frankly bewildered that it might be. Regards, Aaron Loudoun County, VA

Esteemed members of the Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, I am writing you to ask that you please oppose VA HB 1531. As a professional member of the Elephant Managers Association and former zookeeper, I work with several other organizations like OABA and NAIA, to ensure best practices in exotic animal management. Working closely with exotic animals has evolved over the decades to provide the highest standards of animal welfare possible. Today, the free contact management of animals faces a constant barrage of targeted ads and protests that doesn’t accurately depict the truth of what happens in the daily lives of those animals living and working alongside people. These animals are cared for by people who have dedicated their lives to working with them; it is a labor of love. Their owners must be federally licensed and maintain impeccable records in order to operate in addition to individual state animal welfare laws. They are subject to stringent rules and can be inspected anytime without notice by a USDA APHIS inspector or animal control officer. • The elephant guide, or bullhook, is an elephant appropriate livestock guide. It is designed to move the elephant away from you or bring the elephant to you when working in a free contact management system. After a verbal cue is given the guide is used to provide a tactile cue. The guide can also be helpful when a cue is given to turn to the right, for example. The handler standing to their left can use the guide in the elephant’s peripheral vision to reinforce asking for the behavior to turn. They are paired together because elephants are creatures that rely heavily on communication thus combining visual, auditory, and touch cues sets up the animal and the handler for success. • The thickness of elephant skin varies across different parts of their body. The head, back and hips being the thickest. Those are all the designated cue points handlers touch when using the guide. It is done so by design of the guide and to protect the elephant, not harm it. • The guide is a design from Southeast Asia where elephants have been living and working alongside man for thousands of years. There it is called an ankus or takaw. That is what the elephant god Lord Ganesh is holding in his hand to symbolize the relationship between elephant and man. Today animal trainers and scientists have combined century’s old training methods with modern behavioral science to create an excellent and safe way to train elephants. • The elephant guide is a recognized training tool approved by the Elephant Managers Association, the International Elephant Foundation, and the American Veterinary Medical Association . No one is using torture devices on magnificent, million dollar endangered species like elephants. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to me and my colleagues that have hundreds of years combined experience working hands on with elephants. Respectfully, Vanessa Gagne

Please vote "NO" on this bill! I worked with elephants for 14 years and the ankus was an extension of our arm used as a training aid used to guide and direct the elephant where we wanted them to go. Like any training aid, it can be used correctly or incorrectly. To ban it because some people feel it is abusive is just based in ignorance! We use bits in horses and leashes on dogs to guide and direct them, yet are we banning them? An ankus for an elephant is no different! I have to believe that this is being promoted by anti-zoo groups that do not want to see people working with elephants. This is misguided and not an opinion based in fact. But just groups seeking to further their ideology. Again, please vote "NO" to this bill!

Mr. Chair and members of the subcommittee, Please vote "no" on HB 1531. It is poorly written, paints elephant handlers in the worst possible light, and shows a complete lack of understanding in regards to animal husbandry and elephant management. There are no longer any elephants in the State of Virginia. The attacks against Natural Bridge Zoo have been unrelenting and Asha has been relocated for her health and safety. Why has this legislation been brought forward? It's important to note that any ACTUAL ill-treatment of an elephant with a baseball bat or pitchfork is ALREADY ILLEGAL under current Virginia law and any other law! The General Assembly does NOT need to codify every species and every possible action towards them. These issues are already addressed under 3.2-6570. The "bullhook" or "ankus" is a tool that is used to communicate with the elephant. It is found in facilities throughout the world that still choose a hands-on approach to elephant care. There is a proper way to use this tool just like a bit and bridle with a horse or a collar and leash with a dog. You will see a smaller version of this IDENTICAL TOOL used by 4-H handlers with their prized livestock. It is simply a larger guide when used with an elephant. Why is Delegate Tran attempting to ban electricity? There is an appropriate way to use electricity for both animal safety and training for a variety of species. Think of electric fences for horses, remote yard systems for dogs, and cattle prods that are used by farmers across the Commonwealth. Zookeepers keep electric devices close by when working with "code red" animals in case of an emergency. Why is the patron attempting to ban martingales? A martingale for an elephant is different from that of a horse, but it is still a restraint device. However, Asha has never been observed wearing a martingale while giving rides at Natural Bridge Zoo. Martingales are typically seen in other countries when a handler is attempting to restrain a large bull elephant and they are generally used along with hobbles. If this bill passes, will other types of hobbles be banned in Virginia? Hobbles are a restraint device that can be used to keep a cow from kicking her new calf or prevent a trail horse from wandering off during a camping trip. If this bill passes, it will not effect Asha, but it will lay a foundation that will harm animals and animal handlers in the future. What does Delegate Tran mean by "block and tackle"? Is she attempting to ban a pulley system? If so, there are very legitimate uses for ropes and pulleys with a large animal such as an elephant. If one gets down, attaching the elephant to a pulley system can save its life. Why would anyone want to remove this option from a keeper? This legislation would also make it illegal for an elephant to SEE a pitchfork. This is absolutely ridiculous, because pitchforks are common tools when cleaning any barn--including an elephant barn. Would such outrageous language ever be brought against the horse or livestock industry? How will this part of the law be enforced? Are we going to have "pitchfork police"? There is also no date for when this law would take effect. Is this an effort to go back and charge the Mogensen family for husbandry practices that were NOT illegal in 2023? If HB 1531 passes, it will be an embarrassment to the State of Virginia. Please vote against this bill. Sincerely, Heidi Crosky, Virginia Animal Owners Alliance

I support this bill. A bullhook is an outdated, circus-style training tool that resembles a fireplace poker and is used to inflict pain and punishment on elephants, Use of the bullhook on elephants is extremely cruel and unjustifiable. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which accredits most zoos in this country, voted to phase out the use of the bullhook by 2023, stating that it is unnecessary and associated with abuse. However, the Association does not generally accredit roadside and traveling zoos and circuses, which often rely on abusive abusive practices. The notorious Natural Bridge Zoo, for example, has continued to use bullhooks to inflict pain and punishment. The Richmond City Council voted to ban bullhooks in 2015. It is past time for Virginia to prohibit the use of this outdated and cruel tool throughout the state, consistent with the best practices of reputable zoos.

This bill should be passed. there is absolutely NO need to abuse an animal. they are not able to defend themselves. zoos and the circus are two examples of potential places where animals continue to have harsh undeserved treatment. please help them and pass this bill

SUPPORT. Yes! This legislation is crucial. There is no need for elephants to be beaten and abused for human entertainment purposes. Walk back through the history of Asha at Natural Bridge Zoo. It will turn your stomach to read about the abuse she has suffered. For what? This practice is a terrible stain on the soul of Virginia. Thank you for taking this on. While you have the opportunity, include elephants in the category of dangerous animals that are prevented from interacting with the public. Virginia had the chance to do that, but lobbying by the disgraceful owners of Natural Bridge Zoo stopped very reasonable rules. Such a simple, commonsense inclusion stopped by the narrowest self-interest.