Feds Cite Animal Exhibitor After Camel Kicked Churchgoer in the Head; PETA Urges Pastor to Cut Ties

For Immediate Release:
February 12, 2026

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Just-released federal records reveal that, following a December 13 incident at Champion Forest Baptist Church’s Christmas Spectacular in which a camel kicked an audience member in the head, apparently knocking her unconscious, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a critical citation against the animal exhibitor, Trunks and Humps Inc. In response, PETA today sent a letter to Champion Forest Senior Pastor Jarrett Stephens urging him to end stressful animal exhibits and leave live animals in peace.

The citation was issued after PETA submitted a complaint to the USDA about the incident. Prior to the event, PETA’s faith outreach division, PETA LAMBS (“Least Among My Brothers and Sisters” from Matthew 25:40), contacted Champion Forest to inform it that camels, elephants, and other animals used in live nativity scenes are often stressed and abused—and that injuries to humans are common. Animals used for traveling shows and exhibits are subjected to a constant barrage of strange noises and raucous crowds and are denied everything that’s natural and important to them as they’re chained, caged, and carted from city to city—and Trunks and Humps operator Mike Swain has been caught on video kicking and beating an elephant in the face and dragging her to the ground with a sharp bullhook (a steel-tipped weapon used to instill fear in elephants and force them to obey commands).

“Champion Forest knew that dragging frightened wild and exotic animals into a packed church was a recipe for disaster, and one of its congregants paid the price,” says PETA Foundation Associate Director of Captive Wildlife Rebecca Smudzinski. “PETA is calling on Pastor Stephens to stop dragging live animals into church events at Christmas or any time of the year, for the animals’ sake and his parishioners’.”

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.

PETA’s letter to Stephens follows.

February 12, 2026

Senior Pastor Jarrett Stephens, DMin

Champion Forest Baptist Church

Dear Pastor Stephens,

I am writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)—and over 10 million supporters across worldwide PETA entities—asking you to end Champion Forest Baptist Church’s relationship with elephant and camel exhibitor Trunks and Humps and no longer use live animals in any future performances.

You have previously been contacted by PETA LAMBS, PETA’s faith outreach program dedicated to expanding connections between Christian compassion and the treatment of animals. LAMBS informed you of the suffering of elephants and other animals used in live nativity scenes and warned you that serious incidents could occur.

As you know, during Champion Forest’s Christmas Spectacular event in December, a camel provided by Trunks and Humps kicked a woman in the head as he was paraded down the church aisle. A recently released inspection report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed that the agency issued Trunks and Humps a critical citation over the incident, noting that the woman appeared to be knocked unconscious and was taken to a hospital for treatment. PETA has warned you multiple times that this exact type of incident could occur on your watch. This incident was very predictable and avoidable, and shows the dangers of forcing animals like camels and elephants into interactions with the public.

The incident that occurred at Champion Forest is just one in a lengthy history of those involving camels, elephants, and other dangerous animals. The incident could have easily ended in tragedy, as stressed or frightened camels have killed people.

Public safety and animal welfare are threatened whenever animals are forced to interact with an audience. Now that you know the risk is real and incredibly serious, I hope you will make the compassionate decision to no longer allow live animals at any of your events, for the sake of your congregation’s safety and the stressed animals who have long been forced to perform in Champion Forest’s events. May I please hear from you that Champion Forest will no longer host Trunks and Humps or use live animals in any future events?

Very truly yours,

Rebecca Smudzinski, M.A.

Associate Director of Captive Wildlife

Captive Animal Law Enforcement | Legal & Corporate Affairs