Video: New Sharon Shrine Potentate Faces PETA Gatecrashers at Big Debut—Over Animal Circuses!

For Immediate Release:
March 1, 2025

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Late today, PETA supporters infiltrated the Sharon Shrine’s “Potentate’s Ball” and came face to face with the new Potentate, Mike Cowan, whom they implored to finally end the Shrine’s shameful use of animals in its circuses. Photos and video footage of the disruption are available here.

“In nature, elephants work cooperatively to find food, protect one another from danger, and even come to the aid of other species, but the Sharon Shrine wants to see them balance on a pedestal,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is urging Mr. Cowan to start his year as Potentate off on a kind foot by ending cruel and outdated animal circuses, as numerous other Shrines have done.”

Sharon Shrine Circus frequently partners with Carson & Barnes Circus, whose trainers have been caught on video shocking elephants with electric prods and violently striking them with bullhooks—weapons resembling fireplace pokers with sharp hooks on one end that are used to instill fear in elephants and force them to obey commands. These devices are designed to subtly inflict pain, right under the audience’s noses.

Carson & Barnes has been cited for more than 100 violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including for failing to provide animals with basic necessities such as veterinary care, the minimum space required, shelter from the elements, and clean water.

Some well-intentioned people may think that attending a Shrine circus benefits children. But ticket sales aren’t charitable donations: The profits are generally used to maintain the club’s premises and fund its activities.

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.

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