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Circus cruelty: "The Saddest Show on Earth"
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The circus came to town yesterday in Trenton, New Jersey, but Born Free, USA is is asking Trenton residents to consider the shocking evidence against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (Ringling) before buying a ticket that essentially supports animal cruelty.
A recent federal trial of the circus revealed evidence of routine mistreatment of elephants in the circus in violation of the Endangered Species Act, which makes it to harm, wound or harass an endangered species. However, evidence showed handlers routinely striking, punishing and chaining elephants,” according to Nicole Paquette, Esq., senior vice president and general counsel for Born Free USA, and a witness in the trial.
“The evidence, from Ringling’s own employees, its CEO, and its medical records, is crystal clear: Ringling’s treatment of elephants is inhumane,” said Paquette.
The federal trial exposed the following egregious activities:
- An independent examination of Ringling’s medical records, by a Board-certified, retired veterinarian from the San Diego Zoo, corroborated claims that elephants suffer injuries and scarring from bullhook strikes and foot injuries, and lameness from being continually chained. In fact, the evidence revealed that 100% of Ringling’s adult elephants suffer from some ailment related to prolonged chaining on hard surfaces.
- Ringling’s transportation records proved that elephants, both in the circus and at Ringling’s Florida breeding center, spend extensive amounts of time being chained. These records documented elephants being chained for up to 100 consecutive hours in cramped circus railroad cars.
- Ringling’s animal behaviorist reported “an elephant dripping blood all over the arena floor during the show from being hooked.”
- A Ringling veterinary assistant reported that he observed “at least four elephants . . .with multiple abrasions and lacerations from the hooks.” He added that the lacerations were very visible, but that a handler applied a charcoal-colored substance called “wonder dust,” which is used to stop bleeding and camouflage the wounds.
“Ringling constantly compares their training, confinement and handling tactics to those the average individual would use on a dog, yet their own statements and documents prove the exact opposite: elephants endure a lifetime of abuse at the hands of the circus,” added Paquette.
I hope the people of Trenton will stay away from the circus. It’s a hard decision to make because children love animals and have been taught to love the circus, but we must let them know that the animals are not always treated nicely and as a result, adults must make the decision to stay away until and unless the animals are treated properly.
Staying away from the circus provides parents with an important a teachable moment. Staying away shows children that looks can be deceiving and that compassionate people do not enjoy events at the expense of others, for example. Bet you have other examples. Share them.
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