Urge Denver Coliseum to cancel Circus Vazquez

Circus Vasquez is coming to the Denver Coliseum June 18-26, 2008. This circus has a terrible record of animal handling and care, and has been cited numerous times by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture for failing to provide adequate space to tigers and for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Please Take Action to tell the Executive Director of the Denver Coliseum that a circus act with a documented history of animal abuse has no place in the city of Denver.

Since Circus Vasquez is coming to the Denver Coliseum June 18-26, 2008, I am writing to inform you that this circus has a terrible record of animal handling and care and a documented history of animal abuse, and should not be allowed to perform in Denver

On March 31, 2008, a tiger with Circus Vasquez was attacked, nearly decapitated, and killed by one or more of her cage mates after the circus left six tigers crammed together in one cage. The circus has been cited numerous times previously by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) for failing to provide adequate space to tigers. The USDA again cited Circus Vasquez for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act related to the fatal tiger-on-tiger mauling.

Circus Vazquez' troubles are not limited to tigers. Since February 2008, Circus Vazquez has been traveling with elephant handler Will Davenport and his three elephants, Tina, Queenie and Jewel. In the past year, the Davenport family has been repeatedly cited by the USDA for inhumane handling and failure to provide adequate veterinary care to the elephants. The City of Los Angeles recently ordered Will Davenport out of the city because of his terrible record. The Davenports are under official investigation by two federal agencies: the USDA for violations of the Animal Welfare Act and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for violations of the federal Endangered Species Act.

A circus that is known for its cruelty to animals has no place in the city of Denver. I respectfully urge you to prevent Circus Vazquez from using animals in the scheduled performances, or at the very least pledge not to support animal abuse by allowing Circus Vazquez to perform at the Denver Coliseum in the future.

I look forward to your response. Thank you.

More information can be found here ... http://ga0.org/campaign/bowman