PETA Calls On Cambridge High School Not to Host Circus With History of Animal Abuse, Public Endangerment

Records Show Carson & Barnes Circus Is a Chronic Violator of Federal Law

For Immediate Release:
June 28, 2012

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Cambridge, Ohio -- PETA has sent an urgent letter to Cambridge High School Principal Scott Eldredge, Assistant Principal Rick Spencer, and Superintendent Dennis Dettra urging them to cancel plans to host an appearance by the Carson & Barnes Circus next week. PETA points out that government records show that Carson & Barnes' history of animal abuse is extensive and that its violent training methods have resulted in its paying a fine for violating the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Carson & Barnes' animal-care director, Tim Frisco, was even caught on camera viciously attacking terrified elephants with bullhooks—heavy rods with sharp, steel hooks that resemble fireplace pokers—and shocking them with electric prods. In the video, Frisco instructs trainers to hurt the elephants until they scream and to sink a bullhook into their flesh and twist it. Carson & Barnes is routinely cited for violations of the AWA, including, in the past year alone, using excessive force with a bullhook and repeatedly putting the public at risk of serious injury by failing to monitor elephants during periods of public contact.

"Booking this circus sends the message to students that beating animals can be overlooked, when the message should be that cruelty to animals and acts of violence against the vulnerable are unacceptable," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. "Elephants are intelligent, highly social individuals who suffer greatly when they are dragged around, shackled, and beaten."

Cambridge High School officials can follow the example of Bellevue University, which recently canceled a Carson & Barnes Circus performance after learning about the circus's long history of cruelty to animals.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

PETA's letter to school officials follows.

June 28, 2012

Mr. Dennis Dettra, Superintendent
Mr. Scott Eldredge, Principal
Mr. Rick Spencer, Assistant Principal 
Cambridge High School
1401 Deerpath Drive 
Cambridge, OH 43725

Dear Messrs. Dettra, Eldredge and Spencer:

I am writing on behalf of PETA and our more than 3 million members and supporters dedicated to the protection of animals regarding Cambridge High School’s plans to host the Carson & Barnes Circus on July 5, 2012. We hope you'll review the following information about this circus's lengthy and well-documented history of animal abuse and public endangerment and join Bellevue University, which recently canceled a Carson & Barnes Circus performance after learning about the circus's long history of cruelty to animals.

Carson & Barnes' history of animal abuse is extensive, and its violent training methods have resulted in the circus's paying a fine for violating the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Carson & Barnes' animal-care director, Tim Frisco, was even caught on camera viciously attacking terrified elephants with bullhooks—long, heavy rods with sharp, metal hooks that resemble fireplace pokers—and shocking them with electric prods. In the video, Frisco instructs trainers to hurt the elephants until they scream and to sink a bullhook into their flesh and twist it. Carson & Barnes is routinely cited for violations of the AWA, including, in the past year alone, using excessive force with a bullhook and repeatedly putting the public at risk of serious injury by failing to monitor elephants during periods of public contact.

I also urge you to consider that experts in child psychiatry have voiced serious concerns about the negative effects of performing-animal acts on children, which has led some school districts to prohibit even circus promotions. Animal acts teach children to ignore the animals' pain and suffering. As a result, children may grow up lacking in empathy and unable to understand others' distress.

May we please hear from you by 12 noon on Monday, July 2, 2012, that you have made the decision not to host Carson & Barnes?

Very truly yours,

Elena Kravtsoff , Legal Fellow, PETA Foundation
cc: Mike Edwards, Park Superintendent