Yet another lawsuit for abuse filed against Ringling!

September 14, 2007

Funny, this is the same city that blew PeTA off earlier this week about abuse. Well, I hope they like crow...... PETA Seeks Witnesses of Alleged Tiger Abuse at Ringling Performance in Everett Anonymous Circusgoer Left Performance in Disgust After Reportedly Seeing Tigers Whipped--PETA Hopes More Witnesses Will Come Forward For Immediate Release: September 13, 2007 Contact:RaeLeann Smith 757-622-7382 Everett, Wash. — An attendee of a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performance at the Everett Events Center on September 6 was so appalled when she reportedly saw an animal trainer threatening tigers with a whip that she immediately walked out of the show and told the animal rights protesters assembled outside about the incident. PETA is seeking additional details about the alleged abuse from anyone who may have witnessed it. The animal rights group has placed an ad in the September 14 edition of The Herald urging anyone with information to call PETA's headquarters at 757-622-7382, extension 8128, or send an e-mail to RinglingBeatsAnimals. According to PETA members who were holding a protest outside the arena during the Ringling performance, a

woman who was leaving the show early in disgust stopped and informed a protester that "the tigers were acting up and not wanting to perform, so the handler broke out the whips." Because handling animals in a manner that causes trauma, stress, harm, or discomfort is a violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act, PETA filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is not the first time that Ringling animal handlers have been seen aggressively handling animals. Last year, Ringling elephant trainers were videotaped hitting elephants with a steel-tipped bullhook--even inflicting a bloody wound. "Beatings and intimidation are common circus-training techniques, but Ringling is usually careful to hide the cruelty from the public," says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. "Abused animals cannot speak up for themselves, which is why it is vital for

people to come forward when they witness beatings and other forms of cruelty." Please visit PETA's Web site Circuses.com for more information. A copy of PETA's ad is available upon request. "Think occasionally of the suffering of which youspare yourself the sight" Albert Schweitzer

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