HSUS AND Montgomery County Maryland Marty Svrcek msvrcek@mcagfair.com 240-678-0451

HSUS and Montgomery County Maryland Prohibit the exhibition of wild animals in a traveling animal act; Traveling Animal Act - Prohibited. Exhibition means an act, circus, ride, or similar undertaking in which a wild animal is required to perform tricks, give rides, or participate as accompaniments for the entertainment, amusement, or benefit of any live audience.

HSUS AND Montgomery County Maryland Traveling animal act means the exhibition of a wild animal where the animal is transported to, from, or between locations for exhibition, in a mobile or traveling housing facility. Mobile or traveling housing facility means a transporting vehicle such as a heavy commercial vehicle as defined by Section 59.1.4.2, trailer, or railway car, used to move or house wild animals.

HSUS AND Montgomery County Maryland Wild animal means all animals classified in the following orders or families except the species noted: (A) non-human primates and prosimians; (B) felidae, except domestic cats; (C) canidae, except domestic dogs; (D) ursidae; (E) marsupialia; (F) proboscidea; (G) crocodilia; (H) artiodactyla, except domestic cattle, bison, American buffalo, water buffalo, yak, zebu, gayal, bali cattle, suidae, sheep, goats, llamas, or alpacas; (I) perissodactyla, except domestic horses, ponies, donkeys, or mules; (J) elasmobranchii; and (K) pinnipedia.

HSUS and Montgomery County Maryland A person or business must not charge guests or visitors a fee to attend the exhibition of a wild animal in a traveling animal act. Any activity, including agriculture and farming uses defined by Chapter 59, that uses animals other than those identified as wild under Subsection 5-204(a)(4) is exempt from the prohibition in Subsection 5-204(b).

Montgomery County Fair and the City of Gaithersburg Our primary arguments: According to records provided by the City of Gaithersburg: 1. The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair has never been the subject of an animal abuse or dangerous animal claim. 2. There has never been a claim of abuse or danger from performance animals at the Montgomery Agricultural Fair or anywhere in the city of Gaithersburg. 3. Rules and regulations for the treatment of animals are established by the State of Maryland, US Department of Agriculture and US Department of Transportation. Additional legislation is not needed. .

The Fair and Festival Industry Become Proactive – not reactive Ordinance to permit and regulate Performance Animals within the City of Gaithersburg 1. For the purposes of this ordinance, performance animal shall mean the display of any animal for the purpose of performing a specific duty or function in business, commerce, or service, including but not limited to, animals in education, entertainment and exhibition. Animals that are common to agricultural enterprise or farming, are not considered performance animals.

The Fair and Festival Industry 2. The right to utilize performance animals shall be permitted if health papers and veterinary inspections are in order, inspection by Gaithersburg City animal control officers has occurred with no evidence of animal abuse or neglect, and public safety is not compromised. 3. Enforcement of this section shall be done by the Gaithersburg City Department of Animal Control utilizing existing City, State, and Federal Laws, that regulate animal treatment and care.

Help the Montgomery County Agricultural FAir Dear Gaithersburg City Council Member, I oppose the consideration and passage of the changes to Chapter 4, that have been proposed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). These changes will negatively impact the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair by limiting the educational and entertainment opportunities that have been available for nearly 70 years. The ban of listed animals, limits the ability of Fair leaders to add new animal displays and “re-invent” attractions at the Fair annually in-order to maintain and increase public interest. Gaithersburg City is very successful and recognized nationally as a great place to live. The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is also nationally recognized for the humane treatment of animals as well as the educational opportunities, diverse displays and attractions that patrons enjoy each year. It is important that these traditions and culture be permitted to continue. Continued ………

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair Marty Svrcek 240-678-0451 msvrcek@mcagfair.com

The Fair and Festival Industry We treat animals humanly and demonstrate humane treatment of animals to 4-H members and thousands of patrons annually.

Those animal trainers that violate the law and use abusive techniques must be prosecuted using existing laws. There is no logic to ban law abiding trainers from treating animals with kindness and care. Animal trainers use classical conditioning techniques that are humane.