(July 23, 2003) -- Tying their testimony to a two-day run by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the LB Convention Center Arena, animal advocates used the period for non-agendized items at the July 22 City Council meeting to urge that Councilmembers ban performances with wild and exotic animals in LB.

Three speakers testified, including two from the CA Lobby for Animal Welfare who said no LB Councilmember responded to written materials provided to them. Councilmembers sat in stoney silence and said nothing in response.

Huntington Beach prohibits performances of wild or exotic animals. Pasadena bans circuses, rodeos and other animals acts.

We post excerpts of the speakers' LB Council testimony below:

Priscilla Gargalis: ...I represent the California Lobby for Animal Welfare and I live in Riverside County...

We understand that it takes a lot of courage for a city to stand up and take a stand against the use of animals in this manner because it is a controversial subject. But Huntington Beach did it. Pasadena did it. Five cities in California, and cities all over the country, have done it.

Now my colleagues have submitted information to all of you, detailed information about this issue and have not received a single response from anyone.

And we're here tonight to ask you to please take a serious look at this situation. It's not something you can continually ignore...

Dr. Alison Stanley: ...I provided each you with a packet of information recently about the circus...With the packet was a cover letter asking that you contact me. Not one of you did.

Mr. Colonna, I met with you personally. Following that meeting, I contacted your assistant. She told me that you had more important issues before you...

...Finally, you are ignoring an issue that is of great importance to many Long Beach residents.

And finally, I'd like to ask that you bring forward a motion to adopt an ordinance in this city to ban the use of wild and exotic animals in entertainment.