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City lawyer says Cambridge can't arrest circus workers parading elephants down the street
By adamg on Mon, 10/19/2015 - 7:58am
The Cambridge City Council today may consider a request from some residents to make it illegal to march wild animals down the street - which would block the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from making its traditional elephant walk from MIT to the Garden, at least for the two years until the circus stops using elephants in its performances.
But City Solicitor Nancy Glowa says the most the city could do is issue fines for such walks - not arrest circus workers and try to have them sit in jail for up to a year.
In an opinion on the proposed ban, she writes the state constitution prohibits imprisonment for violation of city ordinances. Also, the proposal, originally submitted in 2014, goes too far in calling for fines of up to $5,000, because state law limits the maximum fine to $300.
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Comments
Great News
I wish Boston would do something similar. It's so backwards that people are okay with the mistreatment and humiliation of such intelligent creatures.
What should they do with them otherwise?
Put them back in Africa to fend off the lions and hyenas?
Not supporting the abuses that have happened in the past - but properly cared for animals in captivity have a far better time (and live longer, safer and healthier) than their wild counterparts.
"live longer, safer, and healthier"
Well, that isn't true for, say, elephants: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/12/081211-zoo-elephants.html
Perhaps a fair point
Although sounds like zoos have responded to this issue which has helped:
http://www.allaboutwildlife.com/how-long-do-elephants-live
Though still work to do at least for the elephants.
They don't exist for the entertainment of humans
And they belong in a sanctuary
https://www.elephants.com/
Where poachers can sneak in
Where poachers can sneak in and hack off their tusks.
Yes
You're right. Poaching is a huge problem at the sanctuary in Tennessee that I posted a link for.
Now this hyar
Is wut ah call a Tennessee Toothpick!
Big Difference
Big difference between an animal living comfortably at a sanctuary and an animal being abused and mistreated for human entertainment in a circus like elephants have been.
They can't be put back in Africa
because they're Asian elephants.
OK
Then put them back in Asia - where they will work in the lumber industry (or tourism) instead of the circus.
Double post
^&^%%ing IE browser issues (argggh)
Listen....
The circus has agreed to stop using elephants. You guys win. Is it necessary to continue to waste people's time and money on this issue?
Watching the circus train
Watching the circus train pull in and unload and set up the equipment is much more entertaining than the circus itself. Lots of video on youtube.
Cambridge needs to declare independance
Clearly the People's Republic of Cambridge needs to succeed from the state of Mass and the USA in order to become a sovereign state, free to make up all its own laws.
Succes
Cambridge probably is succeed'ing in many ways. You probably want Cambridge to secede from the state of Massachusetts.
If Cambridge succeeded from MA
And we removed all MBTA station within the city, it would be barren in a matter of only a few years.
Cambridge's success has a lot to due with it neighbor, Boston.
*whoosh*
*whoosh*
Great to see Democrats finally supporting humane treatment
For many years, Republican State Senator Robert Hedlund of Weymouth has fought for a ban on elephants in traveling shows. During that time, far-left Boston mayors and Cambridge and Boston legislators ignored his bills, some even attending the circus in a luxury box with their grandchildren as elephants were abused downstairs. Now that Ringling Brothers has bowed to the pressure of the Republican bill and agreed to retire all elephants, it's nice of Cambridge to get around to it. A great, bi-partisan effort.
Putting aside your Herald
Putting aside your Herald-esque commentary, you're right that Bob Hedlund has been a leader on ending the terrible treatment of animals in circuses. Kudos to him and the others that joined him.
Bob Hedlund is also a co-sponsor ...
Of the bill to make "Roadrunner" the official rock song of the Commonwealth. I thought people like you objected to such wasteful uses of the state legislative process.
Hedlund is like that tree that falls in the forest.
If he got something done (other than padding his pension) on Beacon Hill would anyone know?
"far-left"?
Be honest, Ronald Reagan is "far-left" compared to you.
Please explain
Please explain, since I must have slept through that week in civics class, the role of the Mayor of Boston in passing or defeating legislation at the State level?
$100 Says
Half of these clowns from the peoples republic complaining own dogs.
Meaning?
Meaning?
There were dogs in Australia when Europeans got there. Dogs as we know them exist because they hang out with humans.
Elephants? Not so much.
Elephants in South East Asia
Elephants in South East Asia cohabitate with people just fine.
This is so
Cambridge.
Can't wait to hear that call
Can't wait to hear that call from CPD to the Animal Rescue League...
"Yeah, we have 12 elephants whose handlers we just arrested. Could you come pick them up and house them until the trial?..."