I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3359 
To amend the Animal Welfare Act to restrict the use of exotic and non- 
domesticated animals in traveling circuses and exhibitions. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 3, 2011 
Mr. MORAN (for himself, Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey, Mr. FILNER, Mr. 
YOUNG of Florida, Mr. RAHALL, Mr. STARK, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. NAD-
LER, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, and Mr. POLIS) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture 
A BILL 
To amend the Animal Welfare Act to restrict the use of 
exotic and non-domesticated animals in traveling circuses 
and exhibitions. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Traveling Exotic Ani-
mal Protection Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds that— 
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(1) traveling circuses are detrimental to animal 
welfare due to the adverse effects of captivity and 
transport; 
(2) due to severe confinement, lack of free exer-
cise, and the restriction of natural behaviors, ani-
mals used in circuses suffer and are prone to health, 
behavioral, and psychological problems; 
(3) the tricks that exotic and non-domesticated 
animals are forced to perform require extreme phys-
ical coercion techniques, including the restriction of 
food, the use of elephant hooks (objects used to con-
trol and punish elephants), electric shocks, metal 
bars, whips, and other forms of physical abuse; 
(4) the welfare of animals subject to the condi-
tions in traveling circuses, such as constant travel, 
limited facilities, long periods of restriction of move-
ment, stress, and physical coercion, will inevitably be 
compromised, which can lead to increased risks to 
public safety; 
(5) animals in traveling circuses pose an addi-
tional risk to public safety because such animals 
have wild instincts and needs and have demonstrated 
unpredictability; 
(6) the use of collapsible, temporary facilities in 
traveling circuses increases the risk of escaping ex-
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otic and non-domesticated animals seriously harming 
workers and the public; 
(7) traveling circuses bring people dangerously 
close to exotic and non-domesticated animals by dis-
playing animals in inappropriate, uncontrolled areas 
that are not suited for the exhibition of such ani-
mals; 
(8) it is not possible to provide exotic and non- 
domesticated animals with facilities sufficient to 
maintain the optimum physical and mental health of 
the animals because of the suffering caused to the 
animals by the nature of circuses, in which restric-
tion 
of 
movement, 
separation 
from 
natural 
groupings, restriction of food and water, and phys-
ical abuse are prevalent; 
(9) due to the mobile and transitory nature of 
traveling circuses, law enforcement authorities can-
not properly monitor the conditions of the animals 
or follow up on previous infractions by traveling cir-
cuses; and 
(10) restricting the use of exotic and non-do-
mesticated animals in circuses is the most cost-effec-
tive and efficient way to safeguard both animal wel-
fare and public safety. 
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SEC. 3. USE OF EXOTIC OR WILD ANIMALS IN TRAVELING 
CIRCUSES AND EXHIBITIONS. 
Section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 
2143) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(i)(1) No exhibitor may allow for the participation 
of an exotic or wild animal (including a non-human pri-
mate) in an animal act if, during the 15-day period pre-
ceding such participation, such animal was traveling in a 
mobile housing facility. 
‘‘(2) The restriction under paragraph (1) shall not 
apply to the use of an exotic or wild animal (including 
a non-human primate)— 
‘‘(A) in an exhibition at a non-mobile, perma-
nent institution or facility, including an accredited 
zoo or aquarium; 
‘‘(B) as part of an outreach program for edu-
cational or conservation purposes by an accredited 
zoo or aquarium, if the animal used for such pur-
poses is not kept in a mobile housing facility for 
more than 12 hours a day; 
‘‘(C) by a university, college, laboratory, or 
other research facility registered with the Secretary 
pursuant to section 6; 
‘‘(D) in film, television, or advertising if such 
use does not involve a live public exhibition; or 
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‘‘(E) in a rodeo. 
‘‘(3) A traveling circus or exhibitor that fails to com-
ply with this subsection shall be subject to the penalties 
provided for under section 19.’’. 
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
The amendments made by this Act shall take effect 
on the date that is one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
Æ 
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