Los Angeles City Council Bans Elephant Bullhooks

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles City Council has voted to ban bullhooks — the spike-tipped pokers used to train and control elephants.

City News Service says the council's vote on Wednesday also outlaws the use of pitchforks, baseball bats, ax handles and other goads or prods to wrangle pachyderms in circuses and other shows.

The law will take effect in January 2017.

Animal rights advocates pressed for the ordinance, arguing that bullhooks are inhumane.

However, Stephen Payne, a spokesman for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, called the ban unnecessary and unfair. He says it will prevent the circus from coming to Los Angeles but adds that the circus hopes to reach some compromise with the city.

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