(Australia) fwd.... Update on Arna the elephant

October 2, 2001

An email to rs of the Animal Liberation NSW mailing list

____

Both nationally and internationally her supporters are asking - what has

happened about ARNA and the court case brought by Animal Liberation against

NSW Government and Stardust Circus? Well we are happy to report it is

finally moving along - despite the prolonged absence of Stardust in Western

Australia and delaying tactics which stretched the preliminary court

mentions to five separate appearances. Date for the actual Hearing has now

been set for 8 April 2002 at the Downing Centre in Sydney. The case is

expected to run for at least two weeks and both sides will be calling many

witnesses including overseas experts.

The grounds for the case are firstly that both the NSW Government and

Stardust Circus are in breach of Standards for Exhibiting Circus Animals in

NSW in that they permitted the keeping of a solitary elephant. And secondly

that Stardust Circus committed an act of cruelty in that they authorised the

visit of three elephants from another circus and then without warning

removed the elephants, causing enormous distress to ARNA. ARNA's response to

the visiting elephants and her anguish when they were taken away were

captured on video and this video is an important item of evidence in

thiscase.

Court cases are costly and must be met from whatever funds Animal Liberation

can raise by stalls and donations from the public. International interest is

very high and there is no doubt a win for ARNA will send ripples around the

world and have an impact wherever exotic animals are kept captive in

circuses. It is without doubt a landmark case. If you are able to help

please send your cheque or money order to Animal Liberation at Locked Bag

18/202 Newtown NSW 2042 Australia. Please indicate that your donation is for

ARNA and it will be used only for this purpose. Or Credit card donations may

be made via the Animal Liberation website

(http://www.animal-lib.org.au) by clicking on the menu item 'make

adonation'.

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