PETA Members Rally Against Shrine Circus in Louisville

Group Urges Louisville Residents to Boycott Animal Abuse

For Immediate Release:
February 10, 2012

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382   

Louisville, Ken. -- Holding signs that read, "Boycott the Circus," members of Animal Lovers of Louisville (ALL) and PETA will converge Saturday on the Louisville Exposition Center, which is hosting the Kosair Shrine 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 11, 1 p.m. 

Where:  Main gate, Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane (near the intersection of Phillips Lane and Fairgrounds Road), Louisville

"The elephants and other animals used by the Shrine Circus have been beaten and deprived of their precious freedom for a lifetime of cheap tricks," says PETA Director 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 the Shriners have injured or killed people. A groomer who was killed in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in April 2010by an elephant 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 and no animals, such as Cirque du Soleil.

For more information, please visit PETA.org