USDA Takes Action Against Chronic Violator of Animal Welfare Laws After Big Cat's Foot Gets Caught Under Panel of Unsafe Cage
For Immediate Release:
August 11, 2011
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Houston — Following a PETA complaint that included video footage of a tiger struggling and panting after her foot became pinned underneath a panel of a cage on July 5 as well as the circus staff's delay in noticing the incident and taking action, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a citation against the circus for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The government citation charges Michael Kalmanson, a tiger exhibitor traveling with the UniverSoul Circus, with handling the tiger in a manner that caused her stress and unnecessary discomfort and that put her well-being at risk. The USDA—which dispatched a veterinarian to inspect the tiger a day after receiving PETA's complaint—also cited Kalmanson for failing to maintain the tiger's enclosure in a manner that protects her from injury. The circus is appearing in Houston through August 14.
"These exhibitors are notorious for abusing animals and have repeatedly proved to be incapable of keeping—or unwilling to keep—the cats and members of the public safe," says PETA Director Delcianna Winders. "We hope that the needless suffering that this tiger and other animals used in circuses have experienced will prompt Houston-area residents to stay away from the UniverSoul Circus and all other old-fashioned animal circuses."
This isn't the first time that Kalmanson has violated the AWA. In 2008, he was ordered to pay a $6,000 penalty for two tiger escapes that took place while exhibiting with UniverSoul. In the past year, he has also been cited for failing to provide big cats with a proper diet as well as for failing to refrigerate meat intended to be fed to tigers.
Because UniverSoul doesn't have its own federal exhibitor's license, the circus contracts with various exhibitors, most of whom have abysmal records of animal care. The USDA has previously cited UniverSoul exhibitors for multiple AWA violations, including failure to properly maintain transport vehicles and failure to provide veterinary care, medical records, and adequate space.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.