Ringling Bros. Train Crash Prompts PETA Call for Investigation

For Immediate Release:
April 19, 2016

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

PETA Foundation Counsel Rachel Mathews released the following statement in response to this morning’s crash involving a Ringling Bros. circus train:

In 2012, a Ringling Bros. train in Tennessee crashed on its way to Virginia, and this morning in Chesterfield, Virginia, a Ringling train crashed again, risking the safety of the elephants chained up and the tigers barely able to move in cramped cages inside Ringling Bros.’ tiny, poorly ventilated train cars. Once these animals arrive at their destination, they are beaten, whipped, and bullied into performing tricks night after night for Ringling’s profit. PETA has called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate this latest dangerous incident, and we’re calling on families everywhere to refuse to give a dime to this cruel circus.

PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment,” and more information about Ringling Bros. is available at RinglingBeatsAnimals.com.