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Loading...PETA Asks USDA To Protect Elephants
PETA has filed a formal complaint with the USDA against Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus for abusive practices against the eleven elephants used in their show. The animal rights organization gathered evidence of mistreatment last year and is now asking the USDA to seize the elephants and open an investigation using their authority under the Animal Welfare Act.
PETA is also urgently asking for help from the public. They have issued a petition and a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas J. Vilsack, requesting that action be taken.
In 2009, PETA went undercover at Ringling Brothers and videotaped workers routinely beating and whipping the elephants. They documented circus employees that struck the elephants on the head, face, ears, trunk, legs and other parts of their bodies with bullhooks and other devices. The video showed that the mistreatment was carried out by workers and trainers at every level of the company.
Some of the elephants in the care of Ringling Brother Circus have suffered for more than 40 years, when they were captured in the wild. Others that were born at the company owned Center for Elephant Conservation have spent a lifetime in captivity and shackles. They don’t know any other way of existence and it’s time they learn that humans can be compassionate and gentle.
During the investigation, PETA recorded behavior from an elephant named Tonka that their experts classified as a sign of “severe psychological distress.” The video showed 25-year-old elephant repeatedly swaying her body from side to side while bobbing her head. And even with this bizarre behavior, she was still made to perform every night.
Tonka has been used by Ringling Brothers since 1989. Her entire life has been filled with bullhooks, whips, electric prods, confinement in cramped spaces and chains around her legs.
Ringling Brothers Circus has a long history of accusations of abuse against the animals in their show. In 2009 the ASPCA, Animal Protection Institute, Fund for Animals and circus employees brought a lawsuit against The Feld Entertainment Group, which owns Ringling Brothers. They cited mistreatment of the elephants under the Endangered Species Act. Sadly on December 31, 2009 a federal judge ruled in favor of the circus and its parent company.
Now with new video and facts in hand, it’s PETA’s turn to rescue the elephants from abuse. With your help and support PETA could be the organization to make Ringling Brothers change their ways forever.
Below is a Care2 Petition asking Secretary Vilsack to release the eleven elephants to a reputable animal sanctuary and begin a thorough investigation into the practices at Ringling Brothers Circus. Please join in the effort to help the elephants.
Read more: animal welfare, peta circus elephants, ringling brothers circus usda elephants
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+ add your ownAW THE POOR ELEPHANTS AND YES THEY SHOULD BE PROTECTED AND LOOKED AFTER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ARTICLE AND LETS HOPE THAT ALL CIRCUS ANIMALS WILL BE PROTECTED AND TAKEN CARE OF. BLESS YOU FOR THIS. XXX
So sad.they need to be taken out of the circus and turned back to the wild
If the circus comes to your town please write letters to newspapers, local sponsors, and town leaders letting them know of circus cruelty. This really does help keep ticket sales down and poor ticket sales keeps the circus from returning.
Good. I haven't been back to the circus since 2008. It's not good to be entertained if animals are suffering and being humilitiated for our own pleasure and gain.
How disgraceful to allow such cruelty to continue. These animals are innocent, defenseless and voiceless and need our protection. Elephants do not below in a circus to begin with let alone being abused to perform unnatural acts for the entertainment of humans. Humans can find many other ways to entertainment themselves that doesn't support cruelty nor mocking animals.
Thank you!
You already signed this petition at 2:45 pm PDT, Mar 14, 2010.
Great article Sharon. Thank you.
Animals have absolutely no place in circuses, their life there is nothing but abuse and misery and the use of ALL aniamls in circuses needs to banned NOW! Petition signed.
I still cannot believe that after the recent(within the last year I'd say) court case and video evidence on horrific abuse (and not just the elephants) that they still have animals and were not shut down/fined ..something!! frustrating
they need to be taken out of the circus and turned back to the wild
I find that image extremely disturbing. Those poor elephants are suffering at the hands of money hungry so called carers. USDA and PETA are exposing the truth about the cruel way in which these animals are kept. This is why I refuse to entertain a trip to circus, that and the 'clowns'.
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