Don't let the silly costumes fool you there's nothing entertaining about the cruel ways animals in the circus are treated. Unlike clowns and other human circus performers who get paid for their acts, animals in the circus are whipped, beaten with sharp metal bullhooks, and shocked with electrical devices so that they will perform unnatural and often dangerous tricks. When they are not being forced to perform, the animals spend most of their lives in shackles. They are forced to stand up for hours and even days at a time in cramped, filthy trucks during the long trips from city to city and often have to perform even when they become ill.
In 2009, PETA went undercover at "the saddest show on Earth" Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and captured Ringling workers on video as they beat and whipped elephants dozens of times in venues across the country. PETA documented workers as they struck elephants and tigers on the head, face, ears, trunk, legs, and other parts of their bodies with
bullhooks and other abusive handling tools. The unit's animal superintendant and head elephant trainer were among those who used bullhooks, sharp, fireplace pokerlike devices to hook and yank elephants by their sensitive skin.
PETA has filed a formal complaint with the USDA, but officials also need to hear from you. Write to Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack and demand that the agency seize the elephants whom Ringling hauls around the country in filthy boxcars and forces to perform under the constant threat of punishment. If officials act now, Tonka and her peers might be spared future beatings. These elephants should be sent to a sanctuary, where they would be able to roam across hundreds of acres of natural habitat, play in ponds, and socialize with their longtime friends all of which elephants are deprived of in circuses.
And please remember, if you attend a Ringling circus or any circuses that use animal you are supporting this suffering. Please, stay away from circuses that use animals.
After watching undercover video footage shot in Ringling's Red Unit, we the undersigned are writing to ask that the USDA immediately seize the unit's elephants. The video clearly shows Ringling employees hitting and whipping elephants, sometimes using sharp bullhooks. And one elephant, Tonka, shows persistent signs of mental distress yet is still forced to perform night after night.
Please make sure that Tonka and other elephants in Ringling's custody are not struck or whipped again. Seize them now, and work with PETA to place them in a reputable sanctuary.
We also ask that the USDA immediately investigate the conduct of Ringling and its employees and vigorously enforce the Animal Welfare Act.
Thank you.
