'Injured Elephant' to Confront Potential Circusgoers in Louisville

Groups Urge Louisville Residents to Boycott Animal Abuse

For Immediate Release:
February 8, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Louisville -- An "injured elephant" will lead PETA, Animal Lovers of Louisville, and Louisville Vegetarian Initiative protesters in a demonstration Saturday at the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is hosting the Kosair Shrine circus. The protesters will display signs that read, "Boycott the Circus." The various Shrine circuses across the country get their animals from exhibitors that are notorious for repeatedly violating the animal-care and public-safety provisions of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

When:   Saturday, February 9, 1 p.m. 

Where:  The main gate of the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Ln. (near the intersection of Phillips Lane and Freedom Way), Louisville

"Elephants and other animals used by Shrine circuses have been beaten and deprived of their precious freedom for a lifetime of cheap tricks," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. "These abused animals have become ticking bombs and pose a serious risk to public safety."

Trainers use bullhooks—weapons that resemble a fireplace poker with a sharp metal hook at one end—as well as whips, chains, and electric-shock prods to force elephants, big cats, and other animals to perform unnatural and often frightening tricks. Also, since 1997, there have been more than 10 incidents in which animals used by exhibitors who were hired by Shriners have injured or killed people. A groomer who was killed by an elephant in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in 2010 was kicked so hard that he was thrown 20 feet and died of massive traumatic injuries.

PETA urges families to patronize only circuses that use willing human performers, such as Cirque du Soleil.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.