FEDS TURN BLIND EYE TO CRUELTY IN CIRCUSES, SAYS NEW REPORT

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FEDS TURN BLIND EYE TO CRUELTY IN CIRCUSES, SAYS NEW REPORT

 

According to a recent report released by the ASPCA, the Fund for Animals and the Animal Welfare Institute, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) routinely looks the other way when Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey beats and mistreats its elephants. Tracing nine different investigations over five years, the report reveals a variety of incidents. In one such case, the USDA did determine that Ringling's use of chains and ropes to remove nursing elephants from their mothers caused the animals unnecessary trauma, behavioral stress and physical harm--but the agency closed the investigation without taking any enforcement action.

"The USDA is charged by law to protect performing animals--not to help Ringling with its public relations," says Lisa Weisberg, ASPCA's Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy. "This report raises serious questions about the relationship between the circus and USDA officials."

For more on the report, and to find out what you can do stop cruelty in circuses, please visit ASPCA online. http://www.aspca.org/site/R?i=_7tc_loR8e0XSXLRAGHJvQ..