Oakland's ban of circus training tool may mean loss of revenue, benefits

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The Oakland City Council takes up a proposal on Tuesday, to ban the circus from using bullhooks on elephants. Bullhooks are used to stab and pull at elephants during training and performances.

But there is one group that is not keen on the idea.

The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority estimates the ban could cost the complex $1.4 million dollars in revenue.

PHOTO: A picture of the controversial bullhook.

That's because Feld Entertainment, the company that promotes Ringling Brothers Circus, is threatening to pull other shows, like Motocross and Disney on Ice, out of Oakland if the ordinance passes.

Food service workers at Oracle Arena worry about a loss of benefits.

"If the circus leaves town, and leaves the arena, then there won't be sufficient number of events for the workers to continue qualifying for their healthcare," explained Wei-Ling Huber, with Local 2850, the food service workers union.

Los Angeles became the latest city to ban bullhooks.