Nonpartisan 'Elephant' to Dog Obama at University of Miami Event

PETA Wants President to Order USDA to Confiscate Crippled and Beaten Elephants From Circuses

For Immediate Release:
September 19, 2012

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382 

Miami -- PETA's "pachyderm"—who doesn't belong to either party, even though he is often mistaken for a Republican—will hold a sign that reads, "Mr. President: Tell USDA to Confiscate Beaten Circus Elephants," when he joins PETA members at the University of Miami on Thursday as President Barack Obama prepares to deliver a speech. The group is upset that although circuses train, discipline, and punish elephants using bullhooks (heavy weapons resembling fireplace pokers with a sharp steel hook) and it's the duty of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to protect these animals from sustaining routine beatings that violate the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), the agency is not confiscating them.

When:   Thursday, September 20, 12 noon 

Where:  University of Miami (exact location to be determined), Coral Gables

PETA has filed complaints against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus—"the cruelest show on Earth"—regarding baby elephants who are beaten into submission as well as elephants who are routinely beaten behind the scenes just before they go on stage in order to remind them "who's boss," among many other instances of abuse. Last year, these complaints resulted in the biggest fine in circus history—$270,000. Cole Bros. Circus also recently paid a fine to settle numerous violations of the AWA for failure to care for elephants properly.

"The government has taken an important step by fining these cruel circuses, but now it must confiscate the lame, overworked, and beaten elephants," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. "Until then, what remains to be done is for the public to be made aware of this chronic abuse so that people will know to keep their children away from the circus."

PETA's elephant will appear at President Obama's events across the country.

Please note that PETA is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to stopping the abuse of animals and promoting healthy vegan eating. We take no position in support of or opposition to any political party or candidate for public office.

For more information and to view photos and video footage of Ringling trainers abusing elephants, please visit PETA's website RinglingBeatsAnimals.com.