Protesters Draw Attention to Ringling's Violent Treatment of Baby Elephants
For Immediate Release:
July 19, 2012
Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382
Ontario, Calif. -- An "elephant" will lead PETA protesters on Friday as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus prepares for its opening show in Ontario. The protesters will display signs that read, "This Is Ringling Baby-Elephant Training," alongside banners emblazoned with compelling photos taken inside Ringling's training center. The photos expose how baby elephants used by Ringling are stretched out, slammed to the ground, gouged with steel-tipped bullhooks, and shocked with electric prods. These abusive sessions go on for several hours a day in order to force the baby elephants to learn to perform circus tricks out of fear of punishment. Alec Baldwin has also recently narrated a new video exposé of the Ringling Bros. circus.
When: Friday, July 20, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Arena, intersection of Via Asti and Ontario Center Drive, Ontario
"Inland Empire residents would run screaming from the big top if they knew how baby elephants are violently forced to perform difficult, confusing, and sometimes painful tricks," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. "We're telling parents that if their kids love animals, the last place they should take them is the circus."
Late last year, Ringling paid the largest fine in circus history—$270,000—for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Both Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles and the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA have joined 13 other California humane societies in urging Californians to boycott Ringling Bros. and all other circuses that use animals.
For more information, please visit PETA's website RinglingBeatsAnimals.com.