Elephant Abuse Lawsuit Set for Trial in February, 2009. Cross Post Okay

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Sadly, elephant abuse in the USA is the norm, rather than the exception. Slowly, people are awakening to this fact.A landmark lawsuit filed by Born Free USA, ASPCA and other animal advocacy organizations against Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus is slated to go to trial in federal court on 2/3/09. These organizations charge that the circus abuses its Asian elephants in violation of the federal Endangered Species Act. See below links.Elephants are one of four species on our planet who have been shown to be sentient. Personally, I believe there are many more than four species, but at least elephants are acknowledged by behaviorists as being sentient. This makes the crimes committed against Jenny and other elephants by their captors all the more heinous. Thanks for reading and for standing

up for right. MargaretFounder, Concerned Citizens for Jenny Lawsuit details follow: HSUS publishes lawsuit's history:ttp://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/ringling_brothers_stand_trial_082307.htmlBorn Free USA Summary of the Lawsuit:http://www.bornfreeusa.org/a1a6_ringling.phpRingling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Will Stand Trial

 

Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute (Born Free USA),

along with three other animal protection organizations and a former

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (Ringling) employee, is

suing Ringling for violating the Endangered Species Act by cruelly

mistreating Asian elephants. The trial is now scheduled to begin February 3, 2009.

 

 

The Asian elephant is currently listed as an endangered species under

the Endangered Species Act (ESA), meaning that any acts that would

“harm, wound, injure, harass, or kill” an Asian elephant in the wild or

in captivity are prohibited. The lawsuit alleges that a number of

routine practices by Ringling are in violation of the Endangered

Species Act, including the forceful use of a bullhook and the chaining

of elephants for most of the day and night. We have amassed a wealth of

evidence to support these claims.

Bullhook Use

 

 

Bradley Stookey

 

 

A bullhook, or ankus, is made of wood, metal, or other substantial

material. It is approximately 2 to 3 feet long, and at one end is a

sharp steel hook and poker. It is used to poke, prod, strike, and hit

animals to “train” them — all for a few moments of human amusement. We have video footage of Ringling employees repeatedly

hitting elephants with bullhooks, as well as video footage of the daily

hitting and “hooking” of the elephants to make them stay in line, move

in a particular direction, or perform on cue.

In addition, we have Ringling’s own internal written

documents that discuss the mistreatment of the elephants. For example,

Ringling’s animal behaviorist reported “an elephant dripping blood all over the arena floor during the show from being hooked.”

In an internal email, a Ringling veterinary assistant reported that

“[a]fter this morning’s baths, at least 4 of the elephants came in with

multiple abrasions and lacerations from the hooks.” After the release

of this information to the public, Ringling moved to prohibit the

release of any additional information to the public provided via

discovery.

Chaining

 

 

Bradley Stookey

 

 

Chaining is one of the most common methods used to confine elephants in

captivity. It severely restricts an elephant’s movements, eliminating

its ability to lie down, walk, or socialize with other elephants. The

severity of these restrictions can result in neurotic psychological

behavior, physical injury, and even the death of captive elephants.

Newly obtained evidence based on the circus’s own

documents reveals that Ringling keeps elephants virtually immobilized

in chains for the majority of their lives. Internal records show that

the elephants are chained while confined in boxcars for an average of

more than 26 hours at a time, and sometimes for as much as 60–100

hours, as the circus moves across the country.

In addition, former Ringling employees will be

testifying about the mistreatment they witnessed while working for the

circus, all of which corroborates the claims alleged in this case.

* The lawsuit is before the Honorable Emmet J. Sullivan

in federal district court in the District of Columbia and is being

handled by Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal, one of the country’s

preeminent environmental law firms.