Bill Banning Elephant Beating Goes to Governor
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SACRAMENTO — Inspired by the beatings of an elephant in the San Diego Wild Animal Park, proposed legislation to outlaw the abuse of the large animals passed the Legislature on Thursday. It now goes to Gov. George Deukmejian.
The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Dan McCorquodale (D-San Jose), would make it a misdemeanor for the owner or trainer of an elephant to discipline the animal by using electricity, physical punishment that scars or breaks its skin, or block and tackle restraints.
The Senate bill passed the Assembly on Thursday.
Omitted from the final version of the legislation was a McCorquodale provision that would have prohibited elephant rides. The provision was dropped after complaints from zoological societies.
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