Mayor ‘not inclined to veto’ council’s action on exotic animals

Pittsburgh City Council’s controversial legislation targeting the treatment of wild and exotic animals appears poised to become law.

Mayor Bill Peduto has a Friday deadline to veto or sign the bill, which would ban using any painful instrument — or any instrument that could be painful — on the wildlife. In an interview Tuesday, Mr. Peduto’s chief of staff, Kevin Acklin, said he believes the mayor “is not inclined to veto.”

“I think the mayor respects council’s decision on the matter and is not going to object to the bill,” Mr. Acklin said. He said Mr. Peduto views the legislation “as a statement by council” on animal treatment.

Mr. Peduto, who was out of the office right after Christmas, is still reviewing a host of legislation that

council approved last week, Mr. Acklin said. The animal bill passed on a 6-3 vote.

The decision stoked outrage at the Syria Shrine, which puts on the annual Shrine Circus at PPG Paints Arena. Shriners have said the legislation is too broad and would jeopardize the 68-year-old fundraising event.

Among their biggest concerns, they took issue with a clause that would prevent instruments such as bullhooks from being displayed in the presence of wild and exotic animals. Both federal regulators and insurance carriers mandate the presence of such devices as a precaution, according to circus organizers.

“Fortunately, we don’t need them very often. But they are required to be there,” said Paul Leavy, the longtime circus chairman.

He has maintained that the circus animals, including elephants, are not subjected to any abuse or pain. The Syria Shrine supports the medical care provided at Shriners Hospitals in Erie, Cincinnati and Philadelphia, including for children in need, Mr. Leavy said.

He said the Shriners and the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium are seeking to meet with Mr. Peduto. The zoo raised objections over an earlier version of the council legislation, citing, in part, concerns for worker safety.

Zoo CEO BELLOWS Barbara Baker has said her organization was studying the final language in the bill and its implications.

Mr. Acklin said the administration appreciates the concerns and the Shriners’ work for children. He said the mayor’s office was evaluating requests to meet.

Humane Action Pittsburgh and the Humane Society of the United States are among the legislation’s supporters. Advocates have pointed to California, Rhode Island and other places that have passed similar restrictions. Brian Bonsteel, the Humane Action Pittsburgh president, argued last week that there’s “no proper way to use a bullhook.”

Activists have called the instrument an outdated weapon — not a guide — that instills fear. Bullhooks typically feature a pointed hook atop a long handle.

“Fortunately, we don’t need [bullhooks] very often. But they are required to be there.” — Paul Leavy, Shriner’s circus chairman

Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette The Shriners, represented above by their circus clowns during a protest at the City-County Building in 2016, maintain they are federally obligated to have bullhooks on hand during their circus. If the city imposes a ban, the Shriners argue it will kill the circus — and a good chunk of their annual fundraising for children — in Pittsburgh.