PETA Statement: Escaped Elephant Enjoyed Half an Hour of Freedom

For Immediate Release:
June 30, 2017

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Baraboo, Wis. –

Below, please find a statement from PETA Foundation Vice President Delcianna Winders in response to this morning’s escape of an elephant from Carson & Barnes Circus, exhibiting at Circus World:

What a wonderful half an hour of freedom for this dear elephant. This isn’t the first time that an elephant has tried to flee a life of chains, and if Carson & Barnes’ record of elephant escapes is any indication, it won’t be the last. PETA urges families to reject the exploitation of these majestic animals and refuse to buy a ticket to any circus that uses animals.

Last year, Carson & Barnes was ordered to pay a $16,000 fine to settle a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture after the circus allowed three elephants to run amok for 45 minutes at a performance. The animals reportedly became stressed after circus performers asked the approximately 8,000 audience members to create loud noises by, among other things, stomping on the metal bleachers.

PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment,” and more information about Carson & Barnes is available here.