Independent Expert Must Assess Animals Traveling With Notorious Cole Bros. Circus, Says Group
For Immediate Release:
November 08, 2012
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
St. Lucie, Flo. --Today, PETA sent a letter to Port St. Lucie County commissioners urging them to enlist the services of an expert in exotic animals to assess the Cole Bros. Circus, which is scheduled to perform in Port St. Lucie from November 15 to 18. The circus, which no longer holds its own exhibitor's license, leases animals from the Carson & Barnes Circus and the Hawthorn Corporation, which both have deplorable records of animal care.
After PETA filed two complaints with the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the physical safety and psychological well-being of two elephants with Cole Bros. Circus, the circus agreed to pay a $15,000 penalty to settle more than 10 charges. Carson & Barnes also recently paid a penalty for 10 violations related to elephants, and its employees have been repeatedly caught on video beating elephants. A veterinarian who recently inspected the animals observed lesions consistent with the use of bullhooks. The tigers used by the circus are leased from the Hawthorn Corporation, which has a record of violating federal law going back decades.
"The city can ensure that inspections actually mean something by letting an independent expert assess the animals used by Cole Bros. Circus," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. "And people can ensure that they aren't supporting the abuse of animals by refusing to buy a ticket."
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
PETA's letter to Port St. Lucie commissioners follows.
November 8, 2012
Bryan Lloyd, Crew Leader
City of Port St. Lucie Animal Control
1133 S.W. S. Macedo Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
Dear Mr. Lloyd:
I am writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and its more than 3 million member and supporters. I was glad to learn that the City of Port St. Lucie is taking seriously its duties to enforce animal control ordinances and is prepared to ensure that the animals arriving with Cole Bros. Circus ("Cole Bros.") are not abused and are provided with basic necessities while in your city. In the spirit of your commitment to ensuring the well-being of the animals, please take the following into consideration:
First and foremost, I strongly urge Port St. Lucie animal control to enlist an independent exotic-animal expert to assist with inspections of the animals used in Cole Bros. performances so that you are supplied with current and unbiased information regarding the elephants' and tigers' health and well-being.
Because Cole Bros. no longer has its own exhibitor's license, it leases animal acts from other exhibitors. Currently, Carson & Barnes Circus ("Carson & Barnes") is providing the elephant act for the Cole Bros. show and the Hawthorn Corporation ("Hawthorn") is providing the tigers. As detailed in the linked factsheets, both of these companies have an extensive history of chronic animal welfare violations.
Please also review the enclosed inspection report of veterinarian Dr. Mel Richardson, who has worked with elephants, tigers, and other exotic animals for more than four decades and who inspected the animals with Cole Bros. at the end of September. Note that Dr. Richardson observed an elephant who was suffering from lesions and lameness as well as tigers who were kept in inadequately small transfer enclosures and denied adequate exercise. Please be on the lookout for these and other animal welfare issues and ensure that appropriate enforcement action is taken if city or state laws are violated.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and for your willingness to ensure the well-being of the animals arriving with Cole Bros. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, if you'd like assistance enlisting an independent expert, or with any other aspect of your efforts.
Very truly yours,
Delcianna Winders
Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement