PETA Targets CEO of Ringling Bros. at Boston University Commencement

Owner of Circus That Has a Long History of Cruelty to Animals to Be Among Honorees at School's Ceremony

For Immediate Release:
May 14, 2010

Contact:
RaeLeann Smith   757-622-7382

Boston -- Holding posters that read, "Feld Flunked Compassion. Boycott Ringling Bros," PETA protesters will greet Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus owner Kenneth Feld at Boston University's (BU) commencement ceremony on Sunday. Feld is a member of the class of 1970, which BU is honoring this year because the class never had a graduation ceremony in the wake of the killing of four protesters at Kent State University.

Where:   Boston University's Nickerson Field, 285 Babcock St., Boston
When:     Sunday, May 16, 1 p.m.

Feld has been PETA enemy number one ever since dozens of never-before-seen photos taken inside Ringling's Florida training center by a remorseful elephant handler revealed how baby elephants are dragged away from their mothers, slammed to the ground, gouged with steel-tipped bullhooks, and shocked with electric prods. PETA is appealing to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to revoke Feld Entertainment's animal exhibitor's license in light of evidence that documents years of cruelty to animals.
           
"Feld needs to stop shackling and beating elephants and graduate to providing entertainment that involves only willing human performers," says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. "Until he does, the only 'honor' he should receive is a raspberry."

For more information, please visit RinglingBeatsAnimals.com.