PETA Warns Tallahassee That Ringling Illegally Forces Crippled Elephants to Perform Stunts
For Immediate Release:
January 25, 2012
Contact:
Adam Miller 202-483-7382
Tallahassee, Fla, -- An "elephant" on crutches wearing a "bloody" bandage around the head will lead PETA's contingent of protesters on Thursday as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus prepares for its opening show at Leon County Civic Center. Ringling routinely forces sick and arthritic elephants to perform difficult tricks in its shows, in violation of Florida state law. As Raising Hope star Cloris Leachman explains in her PETA video urging seniors not to take their families to the circus, arthritis is one of the leading reasons why captive elephants in the U.S. are euthanized.
When: Thursday, January 26, 12 noon
Where: Leon County Civic Center, W. Pensacola and S. Macomb streets, Tallahassee
"Forcing elephants to perform painful contortions despite ill health is cruel—and it could be a death sentence," says PETA Director Delcianna Winders. "We're telling families that if their children or grandchildren love animals, the last place they should go is this kind of circus."
For more information, please visit PETA's website RinglingBeatsAnimals.com.