1. Massachusetts’s Action To Protect Wild Animals.
2. Growing concerns over animal welfare.
3. Tragic story of Beulah.
4. Massachusetts became the 11th state to take action to save animals.
5. Governor Maura HealeyтАЩs Statement and Public Response.
6. Big Win for the Animal Rights.
7. Show compassion towards animals.
Massachusetts Took Action to Preserve Wild Animals
By passing a new law prohibiting the use of wild animals in travelling circus shows, Massachusetts has made a significant contribution to wildlife protection. The law, which was signed by Governor Maura Healy, forbids the use of animals for entertainment purposes, including giraffes, elephants, and lions, who have long endured cruel treatment. Violations of the law, which takes effect on January 1, could now result in civil penalties of $500 to $10,000 per animal.
The Tragic Story of Beulah
Beulah was an Asian elephant that had been forced to entertain for years before. She tragically died of blood poisoning in 2019. A heartbreaking image of her lying on her side in a parking lot on the day of her death fuelled public outrage and highlighted the cruelty faced by animals.
Massachusetts Joins Other States in Banning Circus Animals
Massachusetts has now joined the 10 other states by enacting a law which restricts the use of wild animals in travelling exhibits and entertainment shows. This step has received wide praise from animal rights organizations and also from the Humane Society of the United States. This has not only banned the use of some wild animals but also outlawed the use of whips, electric prods and bullhooks.
Governor Maura HealeyтАЩs Statement and Public Response
After enacting this law Healey states that, “For years, circuses have harmed the welfare of animals for the sake of entertainment, allowing animals to suffer in poor living conditions and stressful environments.”
A Big Win for Animal Rights
This new law is a significant victory for animal rights and an inspiration for other states and countries to follow. If others take similar action, it could help end the era where tigers, elephants, and other wild animals are forced to perform under deplorable conditions.
A Step Towards Compassion
If we think from the spiritual perspective then it reminds us about Kabir Ji’s teachings, and He said,
“Ye arhat ka kua loi ya gal bandhya hai sab koi keede kunjar aur avatara arhat dor bandhe kae bara”.
Kabir Ji explains that all living beings, whether small as an insect or mighty as an elephant, are bound by the same cycle of life. Today we are torturing innocent animals, this would trap us in a vicious circle of suffering, where we too could one day be subjected to the same pain. Ending this cruelty is not just a legal victory but a spiritual one, urging us to break this cycle and treat all living beings with the compassion they deserve.
