Victory! Cities Just Keep Saying ‘No’ to Garden Bros. Circus’ Cruelty

Published by Michelle Reynolds.

It hasn’t been a great week for Garden Bros. Circus—which makes it a much better week for animals. Garden Bros. was scheduled to perform in Minneapolis on June 3 and 4 and in Little Falls, Minnesota, on June 5. But both cities told the circus that if it wanted to put on a show, it would have to perform without animals in tow.

© iStock.com/Kyslynskyy

PETA had contacted Minneapolis Animal Care & Control, the Minneapolis Police Department, and local authorities in Little Falls, advising them of Garden Bros.’ long history of deplorable public endangerment and egregious abuse of animals. In just one of the examples that we noted, a whistleblower reported that Zachary Garden, the circus’s manager, habitually beats animals, withholds food from them, and has refused to provide injured and dying animals with adequate veterinary care.

We also provided authorities with the disturbing video from PETA’s investigation of elephant “training” at Carson & Barnes Circus, which provides Garden Bros.’ elephant act. And we pointed out that allowing the circus to force animals to perform would violate Minneapolis’ Code of Ordinances, and Little Falls’ zoning laws. The authorities agreed. Officials for both cities confirmed that Garden Bros. would have to conduct the shows without using animals.

What You Can Do

You can keep the momentum going. Use PETA’s e-mail form to contact venues that are scheduled to host Garden Bros. and ask them to keep animals out of their shows as well.

Get PETA Updates

Stay up to date on the latest vegan trends and get breaking animal rights news delivered straight to your inbox!

By submitting this form, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and agree to receive e-mails from us.

 Ingrid E. Newkirk

“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?” READ MORE

— Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind

Close

Monkeys don’t belong in laboratory cages.

By submitting this form, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and agree to receive e-mails from us.

Close

Monkeys don’t belong in laboratory cages.

By submitting this form, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and agree to receive e-mails from us.