Animal rights activists are hopeful that proposed legislation to ban the use of animals in travelling circuses is set to become law in the US.

The Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (TEAPSPA) will be introduced on Tuesday to the House of Representatives in a first step towards banning the practice.

TEPSA aims to amend the animal welfare act by preventing exotic and wild animals from all travelling performances.

The move would follow in the footsteps of the UK, as the government’s environment secretary announced this month that animal circuses have ‘no place in modern society’ and will be banned later this year.

Read: UK Government Announces Ban On Wild Animals In Travelling Circuses

Activists say animals are kept in torturous environments for the sake of entertainment.

TEAPSEA backer and actor Ed Asner said in a statement: “Confined, abused, and forced to perform, this is the sad reality of circus life for the animals.

“The suffering never, ever stops, until they die. Let’s finally say ‘no’ to these horror shows and ‘yes’ to TEAPSPA!”

Animal welfare charities across the US have been calling for the ban for many years. Animal Defenders International is at the forefront of the petition and has exposed cruelty within the industry.

Comedian Ricky Gervais has also supported the ban. He said: “Animals have their spirits broken, beaten out of them, in order to entertain humans in circuses. It is heartbreakingly cruel and humiliating; it belongs to our ignorant past.

“TEAPSPA will bring an end to this suffering.”

• Watch: Ricky Gervais Launches Into Explosive Anti-Animal Testing Rant On Live Radio

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