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PETA Wants President to Order USDA to Confiscate Crippled and Beaten Elephants From Circuses
For Immediate Release:October 5, 2012
Contact:David Perle 202-483-7382
San Francisco -- Brandishing a sign that reads, "Mr. President: Tell USDA to Confiscate Beaten Circus Elephants," PETA's enraged "pachyderm"—who, although often mistaken for a Republican, doesn't belong to either party—will join PETA members in San Francisco on Monday as President Barack Obama prepares to deliver a speech. The group is calling on the president to step in and order the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to do its duty and confiscate elephants used in circuses who are trained, disciplined, and punished with bullhooks (heavy weapons resembling fireplace pokers with a sharp steel hook at the end) in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
When: Monday, October 8, 5 p.m.
Where: In front of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium at Civic Center, at the intersection of Grove and Larkin streets, San Francisco
Last year, PETA's complaints against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus—"the cruelest show on Earth"—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.
"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. "PETA is calling on the president to urge the USDA to take action—and on parents 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, including those used in circuses. 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.