Hugo elephant sanctuary welcomes change to animal cruelty law
HUGO, Okla. (KTEN) — New Oklahoma legislation would update some statutes under the state's animal cruelty law.
House Bill 3281, introduced last month, exempts cruel animal handling tools, clarifying an existing law that fails to distinguish that all captive animals are not held in zoos.
The Endangered Ark Foundation in Hugo, a non-profit organization that seeks to preserve the future of Asian elephants in North America, believes there's a misconception about some of the tools it uses in managing its herd.
The proposed bill would let elephant handlers at EAF use a bullhook, a pole with a metal hook and tip at the end commonly used in the circus to train animals.
EAF staffer Christian Loyal explains that the elephant sanctuary uses this tool as a "guide" with no harm involved to its residents.
"Everything evolves; this has to evolve the same," Loyal said. "It's a guide stick; it's an extension of yourself. It's just really made as a training tool."
By using this tool, Loyal maintains that an elephant is not being harmed; it's a way to show an elephant where keepers want it to go.
"If they put the restrictions where we're not allowed to do that, I think that's going to put us back where we can't do some of the stuff we do," he said.
But several animal rights organizations, including In Defense of Animals, PETA and the Born Free Foundation maintain their opposition to the use of bullhooks on elephants.
"PETA is always trying to stop all kinds of activities with animals," said Rep. J.J. Humphrey (R-District 19), who introduced HB 3281. "We are running a bill to make certain that they can't come in and stop human contact."