‘It’s Nuts!’ PETA Cited for Inflatable Elephant as Circus Has Elderly Elephants Endure Winter Storm

For Immediate Release:
November 29, 2025

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Earlier today, PETA supporters gathered outside the Carden Circus in Hammond with a 20-foot-tall inflatable “crying elephant” to protest the appearance of the elderly and disabled elephant Betty—”The Most Depressed Elephant in the World”—who continues to be carted from city to city, even during winter storms, and forced to perform despite the deteriorating of her body and spirit. During the protest, the police issued six citations to the animal allies—one for each hour—for having a giant inflatable elephant, while the real violations occurred inside the circus, where elderly elephants continue to be forced to perform painful tricks. PETA supporters will bring their giant inflatable elephant back to the Carden Circus on Sunday, November 30. Media are invited to attend at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

PETA notes that during the circus tour, Betty—who shuffles slowly on her stiff front legs that hurt to bend and drags her trunk on the ground due to apparent paralysis, likely caused by being forced to stand on her head and bear several tons of weight on her trunk for decades—has been kept chained up in a makeshift outdoor tent when not forced to perform.

PETA’s inflatable elephant in Hammond, Indiana, today. Credit: PETA

“Animal defenders are being cited for having an inflatable elephant in the snow, while the Carden Circus drags a real living elderly elephant, a native of hot climates, in and out of the freezing cold and forces her to perform,” says PETA President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is urging everyone to stay away from Carden’s cruel circus and calling on federal officials to remove Betty before it’s too late.”

In nature, elephants enjoy playing with their families, foraging for fresh vegetation, and bathing in rivers. Those used in Carden circuses are beaten, whipped, caged, chained, and forced to perform even when they’re sick, elderly, or injured, like Betty, who appears withdrawn, unresponsive, and physically subdued, frequently standing still with her eyes closed and her trunk on the ground.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

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