The American Veterinary Medical Association addressed the use of bullhook and chains in a policy statement in April following a look at their historic use, purpose, and the science behind restraint. Not surprisingly they found little wrong with properly used tethers and guides.
A new AVMA policy describes the appropriate use of guides and tethers as training and management tools for elephants—and condemns abusive handling.
On a few occasions, allegations of elephant mishandling have implicated misuse of guides and tethers, leading groups to push for prohibition of these tools. An AVMA member requested that the Association adopt a policy to assist in retaining access to these tools to protect the health and safety of elephants and humans.
Appropriate use of elephant guides and tethers allows handlers to safely perform procedures such as foot care, checks of reproductive status, and tuberculosis testing.
The Executive Board approved the policy on "Elephant guides and tethers" at its April meeting. The policy is consistent with the Department of Agriculture's expectations for use of elephant guides and tethers in zoos, circuses, exhibitions, and other activities covered under the Animal Welfare Act.
The AVMA policy states the following:
Elephant guides are husbandry tools that consist of a shaft capped by one straight and one curved end. The ends are blunt and tapered, and are used to touch parts of the elephant's body as a cue to elicit specific actions or behaviors, with the handler exerting very little pressure. The ends should contact, but should not tear or penetrate the skin. The AVMA condemns the use of guides to puncture, lacerate, strike or inflict harm upon an elephant.
Tethers provide a means to temporarily limit an elephant's movement for elephant or human safety and well-being. Tethers can be constructed of rope, chain, or nylon webbing, and their use and fit should not result in discomfort or skin injury. Forelimb tethers should be loose on the foot below the ankle joint, and hind limb tethers should fit snugly on the limb between the ankle and knee joints. Tether length should be sufficient to allow the elephant to easily lie down and rise. The AVMA only supports the use of tethers for the shortest time required for specific management purposes.
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5 comments:
Not to sound ignorant, but how far does this reach? What does it mean for the industries - zoos, circuses, privately owned animals. What is thier jurisdiction? What is thier enforcement? And a few ponderies I had.
Ben,
I don't quite understand this statement. "An AVMA member requested that the Association adopt a policy to assist in retaining access to these tools to protect the health and safety of elephants and humans."
Wade
Ryan,
This hasn't gone to court yet. Any ruling, good or bad has an impact. It is important to understand if you loose, it just doesn't affect you, it affects everybody. Look at what is said about White Tigers, because of an unscrupulous breeder. It is why I feel there does need to be regulation, or decide who is qualified to practice the craft, and set a standard to decide.
Wade
I assume it means that a zoo vet or a vet with a relationship with Feld Inc requested that the AVMA take a look at the use of bullhooks and leg chains and if the association deemed them humane when properly used, take a position in opposition to the many "bullhook bills" that have been introduced on the state and local level in recent years.
The AVMA website includes a "backgrounder" looking at the issue.
http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/elephant_training_bgnd.asp
Ben,
I suggest "assist in retaining access", means it is not a unanimous decision by the AVMA. Or they are asking what I have asked for a long time, who should have access, and who should not? What standards are there in affect after 100's of years of elephant usage.
Wade
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