“7/23/2009, 7:14pm EST”
The Cruelest Show on Earth
Kudos to PETA and their amazingly brave and talented undercover investigators for catching the Ringling Bros. Circus in their own lies. Ringling has claimed for years that it does not use the cruel and unnecessary bullhook (club with a hook on the end) to train or reprimand their elephant entertainers. New video evidence shows trainers beating elephants with bullhooks (and whips) before a performance and during rehearsals.
I can’t wait to see how they try to lie their way out of this one.
Mad yet? Do something about it. Tell the USDA to seize Ringling’s abused elephants before it gets even worse.
And please please please, don’t go to the circus.
During the proceedings of a March 2009 lawsuit filed against Ringling Bros.’ parent company (Feld Entertainment), Chairman and CEO Kenneth Feld took the stand. Via ABC News:
The executive said he has no tolerance for mistreatment of circus animals, and employees are trained on proper policies and encouraged to report abuse… He said he’s seen handlers hit elephants under the chin, behind the ears or on the legs with a bull hook — which resembles a thick fireplace poker with a curved metal hook — describing it as a standard practice to “correct” or “guide” the animals. “I don’t view what I’ve seen as abuse,” he said.
How conveniently illogical. Apparently physical harm doesn’t qualify as “mistreatment” and ”abuse” as long as it is “standard practice.” I suppose if one were to bullhook Mr. Feld as a matter of standard practice, it wouldn’t constitute “abuse” either.
Thank you to PETA for fine investigative work.
Never leave home without it.
