Prohibition of Cruel Weapon Will Help Protect Elephants From Abuse in Circuses, Says PETA
For Immediate Release:
June 1, 2011
Contact:
Ashley Gonzalez 202-483-7382
Atlanta — At today's Fulton County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board approved a proposed bullhook ban that was introduced by commissioners Robb Pitts and Joan Garner. The ban will help protect elephants from abuse by prohibiting the use of bullhooks—devices that resemble fireplace pokers with a sharp metal hook on the end—in circuses and other traveling shows that perform in Fulton County. This decision comes on the heels of Demi Moore's urgent letter to the board yesterday asking members to ban these cruel devices.
"Bullhooks are weapons that are used to force elephants to perform tricks they'd never do in the wild," says Delcianna Winders, PETA's director of captive animal law enforcement. "By passing this ban, the commissioners have sent the clear message that elephant abuse will not be tolerated in Fulton County."
Circus trainers use bullhooks to inflict pain on elephants in order to make the animals perform difficult, meaningless, and painful tricks or to punish the animals. Handlers sink bullhooks into areas of an elephant's body where wounds would less likely be visible, such as under the chin or behind the knees or ears. A recent PETA undercover investigation of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus resulted in video footage that shows handlers repeatedly beating elephants with bullhooks moments before performances. The use of bullhooks causes elephants extreme pain and stress. Elephant sanctuaries and most accredited zoos—including Zoo Atlanta—do not use bullhooks on elephants, and the cruel devices have been banned in Pompano Beach, Fla., and Southampton, N.Y.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.