PETA Calls On Mayor to Ban Animal Acts in Wake of Elephant Escape

Group Also Asks the USDA to Investigate and Take Action if Violations of the Law Are Found

For Immediate Release:
April 29, 2010

Contact:
RaeLeann Smith  757-622-7382

Lynchburg, Va. -- Following the escape on Tuesday of an elephant named Viola from the Cole Bros. Circus between performances at the Presbyterian Homes & Family Services campus in Lynchburg, PETA sent an urgent letter to Lynchburg Mayor Joan Foster calling on her to impose a ban on all wild-animal acts in the city. According to news reports, Viola broke free from her handlers and ran past a line of people who were waiting to buy tickets for the circus, scattering them. In her panic, Viola reportedly fell into a hole or ditch, injuring her foot and shoulder. PETA also filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) asking that the agency investigate the incident and cite the circus if violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act are found.

"Elephants are not wind-up toys--they are wild animals with tremendous strength, and a frightened or angry elephant can be very dangerous," says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. "Lynchburg can protect elephants and the public at the same time by imposing a permanent ban on traveling animal acts, as many cities across the country have already done."

PETA points out that in the last 10 years, there have been at least 149 incidents in which elephants have injured or killed people, including the fatal attack earlier this month by an elephant named Dumbo on a handler who was working with a Shrine Circus in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Both Dumbo and Viola are owned by members of the Frisco family. PETA has video footage of Tim Frisco--an elephant handler who works for the circus that leased Viola to Cole Bros.--beating elephants and shocking them with an electric prod.

PETA is also asking the USDA to evaluate Viola's condition and ensure that she is receiving proper veterinary care. It is not uncommon for handlers to re-establish dominance over an elephant who has been involved in a dangerous incident by chaining and beating the animal.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.