‘Tiger,’ ‘Elephant,’ and ‘Bear’ to Urge Shriners to Nix Cruel Animal Acts
PETA Protest Follows Damning Expert Report of Animal Neglect, Abuse at Shrine Circuses
For Immediate Release:
July 13, 2018
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
What: A costumed “tiger,” “elephant,” and “bear” will lead PETA supporters in a spirited protest outside the Shriners International Imperial Session in Daytona Beach on Sunday to urge Shrine chapters to stop hiring circuses that feature cruel animal acts. The protesters will hold signs that read, “Animals Suffer at Shrine Circuses.”
When: Sunday, July 15, 2:30 p.m.
Where: 101 N. Atlantic Ave. (between Auditorium Boulevard and Earl Street), Daytona Beach
The protest follows the publication of a 68-page report from well-known animal-behavior expert Jay Pratte that documents the environmental and physiological neglect, psychological abuse, and coercion of animals through dominance and fear that he observed at Shrine circuses in 2017 and 2018. A PETA video shows animal handlers at recent Shrine circus performances whipping a tiger’s face, jabbing an elephant with a bullhook, and causing a bear to urinate from distress as she’s forced to walk on her forelegs.
“The Shriners should be ashamed for filling their coffers on the backs of terrified, abused wild animals,” says PETA Foundation Deputy Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Rachel Mathews. “PETA is calling on Shriners International to adopt an official policy banning all animal acts at Shrine circuses.”
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
