Group Says Circus Abuses Animals and Endangers People

For Immediate Release:
July 9, 2009

Contact:
RaeLeann Smith 757-622-7382

Cass Lake, Minn. -- Today, PETA sent an urgent letter to Cass Lake Mayor Wayne LaDuke calling on him to cancel the Liebel Family Circus' appearance on July 15 or at the very least prohibit the circus from using Nosey, an elephant with the circus, to give rides. According to a former circus employee who sustained an injury when Nosey hit him on the back of the head with her trunk, the elephant is abused and poses a threat to public safety.

In an affidavit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the injured worker recounted the frequent use of electric prods on Nosey and detailed an incident in which the trainer "used the bullhook handle, turned off the lights in the performance ring and beat the elephant. He ... directed others to take part [and told them to use] other objects such as [a] sledge hammer and shovel handles. At that time the elephant was staked down by all four legs ... " He also stated in the affidavit that Nosey's attack on him "was not the first time the elephant had reached or struck out at people who worked at the circus."

Retired Palm Bay, Fla., police officer Blayne Doyle, who was once forced to shoot and kill an elephant after the animal went on a rampage while carrying a mother and five children on her back, is also asking Mayor LaDuke to ban elephant rides.

Liebel Family Circus has an abysmal record of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act. The circus paid almost $3,000 in fines to the USDA in 2005. The violations included failing to provide veterinary care; failing to handle a male spider monkey in a way that does not cause trauma or physical harm; failing to provide minimum space; failing to have a knowledgeable elephant handler on hand, which resulted in an attack; and more.

"Because of the years of abuse Nosey has suffered, she is a ticking time bomb," says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. "For her sake and to protect the safety of Cass Lake residents, she should not be forced to entertain crowds."

For more information, please visit PETA.org.