Chicago Aldermen block vote on elephant-protection ordinance

November 13, 2008

I think we all know by now that Kenneth Feld buys laws, politicians and law "enforcement". Read the bolded part for more proof in Chicago.

Aldermen block vote on elephant-protection ordinance

November 12, 2008 at 9:24 PM | Comments (1)

Chicago's aldermen were not ready to step right up today and support a proposal aimed at

curbing abuse of circus elephants.

Two aldermen blocked a vote on the elephant-protection ordinance championed by Ald. Mary Ann Smith (48th) as the circus comes to the city next week.

Smith originally wanted to ban the use of bull hooks on elephants. She agreed to amend the proposal to merely make it illegal "to use on an elephant any device or instrument with the intent to cause pain and injury, except as necessary to administer legitimate medical treatment."

The ordinance also would ban chaining elephants except when necessary. Both changes leave more room for interpretation by circuses and law enforcement.

Ald. Willie Cochran (20th), who along with Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) delayed the vote, said trainers have told him elephants need to be chained when sleeping. But he said he was not insensitive to video proof of elephant abuse activists presented.

"I wouldn't want an animal to receive that kind of treatment, nor would I want to put a trainer in a position that's unsafe," Cochran said.

Smith and other supporters noted the circus industry mounted a lobbying campaign against the ordinance.

Timothy Dart, brother of Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, is the City Hall lobbyist for Feld Entertainment Inc., which owns Ringling Bros.

The Ringling Bros. show, being staged in Rosemont, moves to the United Center from Tuesday to Nov. 30.

But Feld spokesman Stephen Payne said the circus would not come back if the ordinance is approved as written.

Cochran acknowledged his office has received free tickets for constituents from Ringling Bros. and UniverSoul Circus, but said they had nothing to do with his opposition.

Smith gave her colleagues elephant-shaped cookies glazed with a political message: "Vote Yes."

She said she would bring the measure back at the next week's council meeting --but she wouldn't sweeten her pitch with cookies again.

--Dan Mihalopoulos, Chicago Breaking News Center