WASHINGTON -- Former "Price Is Right" host and long-time animal advocate Bob Barker will be on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning, for the introduction of the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act -- a bill that would restrict the use of exotic and wild animals in traveling circuses. Animal lover Jim Moran (D-Va.), who co-chairs the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus and has pushed previous legislation on animal cruelty, truth in fur labeling and outlawing the sale of "animal crush" videos, will sponsor the bill.
Politico has an interview with Barker about the need for the legislation:
The animals that suffer most are the big animals — that would be the elephants — but any animals in traveling circuses suffer terribly. The conditions are completely abnormal. In their training, they are forced to do things that they would never do naturally. They are struck with clubs … they are whipped … They [trainers] even withhold food and water to make them perform.
Today's Hill event includes the screening of a video, "In the United States today....," featuring grim mistreatment of animals at circuses. "CSI" actress Jorja Fox will also participate.
The TEAPA event is at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, in room B-308 of the Rayburn House Office Building (45 Independence Ave. SW). The event will also be streamed live online.
RELATED VIDEO: CBS News's 2008 profile of Bob Barker, on his animal advocacy.