Squamish Residents Protest Arrival of U.S. Federal Law Violator Circus Gatti

Record Shows Circus Cited for Endangering the Public, Leaving Sick and Injured Animals to Suffer

For Immediate Release:
September 25, 2012

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Squamish, B.C. -- Waving signs that read, "Boycott the Circus," Squamish residents will gather outside the CN Roundhouse & Conference Centre on Wednesday, the opening day of Circus Gatti, to protest the circus's long history of violating the U.S. Animal Welfare Act (AWA). As detailed in PETA's factsheet, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited Circus Gatti for repeatedly putting the public and animals at risk by not having proper barriers to contain the animals, failing to allow inspectors to conduct required inspections, and failing to provide animals, including dogs, with veterinary care.

"Life on the road—locked in a barren cage or a dark, cramped trailer, and forced to perform tricks—is no life at all for a wild animal," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. "PETA is letting parents and grandparents know that if their children and grandchildren love animals, the last place that they should go is to this wretched circus."

Circuses routinely beat, whip, and shock animals to show them "who's boss" and force them to perform tricks out of fear of punishment. When circuses aren't forcing animals to perform, they confine them to filthy boxcars or trucks and drag them across the country in all weather extremes. The animals may also suffer as a result of inadequate veterinary care. A 2008 inspection of Circus Gatti found that two dogs were limping from recent foot wounds. The dogs' handler hadn't noticed that one dog had been injured and stated that she didn't feel that the other dog's injury—his toenail had been torn off—warranted veterinary attention. Officials ordered the handler to seek veterinary care for both dogs.

For more information, please visit PETA.org or click here.