Chronicle runs article on circus abuse - letters needed

August 12, 2009

Keep the issue alive. Please submit letters to the editor at letters.

Groups say to avoid the circus, claim abuse

Michael Cabanatuan, Chronicle Staff Writer

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

size=2 width= " 100% " align=center>

" The Greatest Show on Earth " comes to town this week, and top Bay Area animal

welfare experts - including local branches of the Society for the Prevention of

Cruelty to Animals, and the Oakland Zoo's curator - are urging people to stay

away.

Public hearings set for Richmond casino resort 08.11.09

--

The San Francisco, East Bay and Sacramento SPCAs and the Marin, Sonoma and

Peninsula humane societies say that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

abuses performing animals, using such pain-inducing tools as whips, tight

collars, muzzles, bullhooks and electric prods.

Oakland Zoo curator Colleen Kinzley, an elephant expert, has testified in a

pending lawsuit trial against the circus, alleging elephant abuse. She said the

animals are confined or chained for most of their lives, and beaten, poked and

prodded with sharp hooks to get them to perform tricks.

Officials for circus owner Feld Entertainment did not return calls seeking

comment. But on a company Web site, they call the claims " baseless and

distorted " and say they believe evidence " will show that our elephants are

healthy, alert, and thriving in our care. "

Kinzley, SPCA officials and animal welfare activists showed reporters video

footage Monday of elephants being hit and jabbed. The video was legally recorded

in animal compounds outside circus performances and was presented in the lawsuit

trial, activists said. The activists held the news conference at the East Bay

SPCA, a short distance from Oracle Arena, where the circus will perform today

through Sunday.

In Datebook: Bay Area native is second-youngest ringmaster in circus' history.

E-mail Michael Cabanatuan at mcabanatuan.

Recommended Posts