Concerned Residents Highlight Records Showing Carson & Barnes Circus Is a Chronic Violator of Federal Law
For Immediate Release:
July 9, 2012
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Olmsted Falls, Ohio -- PETA has sent an urgent letter to Olmsted Falls Middle School Principal Mark Kurz and Superintendent Todd F. Hoadley urging them to cancel plans to host an appearance by the Carson & Barnes Circus this weekend. PETA points out that government records show that Carson & Barnes' history of animal abuse is extensive and that its violent training methods have resulted in its paying a fine for violating the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Carson & Barnes' animal-care director, Tim Frisco, was even caught on camera viciously attacking terrified elephants with bullhooks—heavy rods with sharp steel hooks that resemble fireplace pokers—and shocking them with electric prods. In the video, Frisco instructs trainers to hurt the elephants until they scream and to sink a bullhook into their flesh and twist it. Carson & Barnes is routinely cited for violations of the AWA, including in the past year alone, using excessive force with a bullhook and repeatedly putting the public at risk of serious injury by failing to monitor elephants during periods of public contact.
"Booking this circus sends the message to students that beating animals can be overlooked, when the message should be that cruelty to animals and acts of violence against the vulnerable are unacceptable," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. "Elephants are intelligent, highly social individuals who suffer greatly when they are dragged around, shackled, and beaten."
Olmsted Falls Middle School officials can follow the example of Bellevue University, which recently canceled a Carson & Barnes Circus performance after learning about the circus's long history of cruelty to animals.
Olmsted Township–area residents will also attend the Olmsted Township Trustees Meeting on July 11 at 7 p.m., at the Olmsted Township Fire Department, urging the trustees to cancel Carson & Barnes' appearances.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
PETA's letter to school officials follows.
July 9, 2012
Dr.
Todd F. Hoadley, Superintendent
Dr.
James L. Lloyd, Assistant Superintendent
Mr.
Mark Kurz, Principal
Olmsted Falls Middle School
27045 Bagley Rd.
Olmsted Falls, OH 44138
Dear Drs. Hoadley and Lloyd and Mr. Kurz:
I am writing on behalf of PETA and our more than 3 million members and supporters dedicated to the protection of animals regarding Olmsted Falls Middle School's plans to host the Carson & Barnes Circus on July 14 and 15, 2012. We hope you'll review the following information about this circus's lengthy and well-documented history of animal abuse and public endangerment and join Bellevue University, which recently canceled a Carson & Barnes Circus performance after learning about the circus's long history of cruelty to animals.
Carson & Barnes' history of animal abuse is extensive, and its violent training methods have resulted in the circus's paying a fine for violating the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Carson & Barnes' animal-care director, Tim Frisco, was even caught on camera viciously attacking terrified elephants with bullhooks—long, heavy rods with sharp, metal hooks that resemble fireplace pokers—and shocking them with electric prods. In the video, Frisco instructs trainers to hurt the elephants until they scream and to sink a bullhook into their flesh and twist it. Carson & Barnes is routinely cited for violations of the AWA, including, in the past year alone, using excessive force with a bullhook and repeatedly putting the public at risk of serious injury by failing to monitor elephants during periods of public contact.
I also urge you to consider that experts in child psychiatry have voiced serious concerns about the negative effects of performing-animal acts on children, which has led some school districts to prohibit even circus promotions. Animal acts teach children to ignore the animals' pain and suffering. As a result, children may grow up lacking in empathy and unable to understand others' distress.
May we please hear from you by 12 noon on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, that you have made the decision not to host Carson & Barnes?
Very truly yours,
Elena Kravtsoff, Legal Fellow
cc: Chris Parker, Olmsted Falls Kiwanis Club President (chris@parker-wealth.com)