The City of Atlanta Must Enforce Its Own Animal Control Laws and Prevent Ringling Bros. From Using Bullhooks to Abuse Elephants, Says Group
For Immediate Release:
February 16, 2012
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Atlanta -- In the wake of a Fulton County judge's decision to enjoin the county from enforcing its ban on using weapons such as bullhooks—sharp metal-tipped rods that resemble fireplace pokers—on elephants during Ringling Bros. circus' stint in Atlanta, PETA has fired off an urgent letter to Mayor Kasim Reed calling on him to enforce the Atlanta law that adopted the county's ban. Despite Mayor Reed's attempts to shirk his responsibility in the matter and redirect concerned citizens to Fulton County officials, the City of Atlanta is currently the only entity with the authority to enforce the prohibition on the device, which is used to intimidate and beat elephants. As such, PETA is calling on the mayor to send officers to Ringling's 7:30 p.m. show tonight to enforce the law.
"Mayor Reed's office is trying to hide from its responsibility to ensure that Ringling does not strike, hook, and beat elephants in Atlanta," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Ringling's fight to be allowed to use bullhooks demonstrates its intentions to use violence against elephants, and only the city of Atlanta can prevent this abuse."
Fulton County Code § 34-212(c) prohibits the "use on an elephant of any device or instrument that inflicts pain on, or causes or is likely to cause injury to, an elephant" and is incorporated into the city code by Atlanta Code § 18-62. The city is obligated to enforce its own laws—including this provision.
For more information, please visit PETA's website RinglingBeatsAnimals.com.