PETA Calls on USDA to Shut Down Ringling

I am writing to you to express my complete disgust with Ringling Bros. Barnum Bailey and any other circus that continues to have animal performances. Since RBBB are coming to D.C. in a few days and will undoubtedly be heavily advertised in most of the local newspapers I would like to get equal time by revealing what these circuss dont want people to know. When I was a child in the 1950s I attended this circus because I did not know any better. So much has happened since then to bring more awareness to people about these atrocities and other acts of animal cruelty. However there must still be people that are not aware or just do not care. For the former I want them to know and for the latter that is just plain sad. When my daughter was in the first grade the school she attended had an annual fieldtrip to the RBBB circus. After I explained to her what was really going on behind closed doors she promptly marched into her classroom and informed her classmates and teacher that she would not be attending the field trip and why. In fact she and I made such a stink about it that was the last year the school allowed funding for this fieldtrip and it was discontinued. Here are just a few examples of why this is NOT the greatest show on earth At Ringling's facility stillnursing baby elephants are captured rodeostyle roped around all four legs tethered necktoneck to an anchor elephant and dragged from their mothers. RBBB employees have been documented beating elephants with sharp metaltipped bull hooks in the most sensitive parts of their bodies backstage moments before performances. An elephant's skin is so sensitive that they can feel the pain of an insect bite. Animals in circuses live in constant confinement and are forced to perform under the threat of punishment. RBBB has failed numerous times to meet the minimal standards of animal care set in the Animal Welfare Act. People who care about animals should boycott animal circuses.

I have never liked the circus and I will never take my kids to one. Animals do not deserve to be treated this way they should be living the way nature intended...free. To see these poor helpless creatures treated like this breaks my heart. These people have got to be stopped. Please do it for the animals.

Whatever we can do no matter how little to help these animals is a step closer to getting them freed. Write USDA and demand justice pass out literature about their horrific training and life get the schools to stop class trips. I cry for these defenseless animals and can't get them out of my mind. It's horrifying what goes on.I agree with Carla the government must do something. We must make our voices heard and demand justice. Hopefully we can get the media to take a sincere interest in this cause. We've got to.

I have banned these sick Bast....ds a long time ago. The Government should step in and do something good for a change! Human beings have enough entertainment without having to abuse and torture animals. It's discusting and cruel and needs to be stopped. I will be protesting in Hartford CT with many many people!!!!!!!!!!

If this doesn't get the message through nothing will! Good job PeTA! xx