State Bans on Use of Certain Animals in Circuses

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Label code (short name, no spaces)Label descriptive nameColor (Hex code, e.g. #80BFB9)
Label-1State with Ban on Coverered Animals in Traveling Acts#01665E
Label-2State with Ban on Use of Elephant Bullhooks#5AB4AC
Label-3No law#8C510A
Label-4
Label-5
Label-6
Map data: 
StateURL (relative path, e.g. /statute/name-of-page)Label code (must match Label code from Label creation table)
AlabamaLabel-3
AlaskaLabel-3
ArizonaLabel-3
ArkansasLabel-3
Californiahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ca-circus-article-5-circus-cruelty-prevention-actLabel-1
Coloradohttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/co-circus-%C2%A7-33-1-126-prohibiting-certain-animals-traveling-animal-act-short-titleLabel-1
ConnecticutLabel-3
DelawareLabel-3
FloridaLabel-3
GeorgiaLabel-3
Hawaiihttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/hi-exotic-wildlife-subchapter-2-non-domestic-animal-introductions#s65Label-1
IdahoLabel-3
Illinoishttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/il-elephant-548-11-unlawful-use-elephant-traveling-animal-actLabel-1
IndianaLabel-3
IowaLabel-3
KansasLabel-3
Kentuckyhttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/ky-exotic-wildlife-native-wildlife-transportation-and-holding-native-wildlife301-kar#s082Label-1
LouisianaLabel-3
MaineLabel-3
Marylandhttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/md-circus-subtitle-2c-traveling-animal-actsLabel-1
Massachusettshttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ma-circus-%C2%A7-19c-traveling-animal-exhibits-and-shows-animals-covered-exceptions-penaltiesLabel-1
MichiganLabel-3
MinnesotaLabel-3
MississippiLabel-3
MissouriLabel-3
MontanaLabel-3
NebraskaLabel-3
NevadaLabel-3
New HampshireLabel-3
New Jerseyhttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/nj-endangered-chapter-2a-wildlife-generallyLabel-1
New MexicoLabel-3
New Yorkhttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ny-exotic-chapter-43-b-consolidated-laws-0#s0540Label-1
North CarolinaLabel-3
North DakotaLabel-3
OhioLabel-3
OklahomaLabel-3
OregonLabel-3
PennsylvaniaLabel-3
Rhode Islandhttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ri-cruelty-chapter-1-cruelty-animals#s43Label-2
South CarolinaLabel-3
South DakotaLabel-3
TennesseeLabel-3
TexasLabel-3
UtahLabel-3
VermontLabel-3
Virginiahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/va-cruelty-consolidated-cruelty-statutes#s6589_1Label-2
Washingtonhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=5065&Year=2025&Initiative=falseLabel-1
West VirginiaLabel-3
WisconsinLabel-3
WyomingLabel-3
Summary: This map reflects states that have passed laws on the use of certain animals in traveling animal acts (i.e., circuses). Covered animals include big cat species (lions, tigers, jaguars, etc.), bears, nonhuman primates, and elephants. As of 2025, ten (10) states ban the use of certain animals in traveling animal act. In addition, three (3) states including California, Rhode Island, and Virginia ban the use of certain training methods (bullhook, ankus, baseball bat, axe handle, or other device designed to inflict fear or pain) that are considered cruel to elephants.