PETA Warns That Ringling Illegally Forces Crippled Elephants to Perform Stunts
For Immediate Release:
July 31, 2012
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Dallas -- An "elephant" on crutches wearing a "bloody" bandage around the head will lead PETA's contingent of protesters on Wednesday as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus prepares for its opening show at the American Airlines Center. Ringling routinely forces sick and arthritic elephants to perform difficult tricks in its shows. Additionally, PETA will screen its new video exposé of the Ringling Bros. circus narrated by Alec Baldwin.
When: Wednesday, August 1, 12 noon
Where: Corner of N. Akard and Main streets, Dallas
"Forcing elephants to perform painful contortions despite ill health is cruel—and it could be a death sentence," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement 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."
Late last year, Ringling paid the largest fine in circus history—$270,000—for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
For more information, please visit PETA's website RinglingBeatsAnimals.com.