This is terrible. These people are just being downright mean!!! These animals are God’s creatures too and we’re supposed to be taking care of what He has made, not being cruel just because we can, because His animals have no voice to tell us different. I can’t help thinking, how would I feel if someone were doing this to me and my family? And what if I couldn’t even talk about it but just had to endure it…?? Like Dumbo’s mom!
I copied the following article written by Heather Moore from http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/new-evidence-that-ringling-beats-elephants/
“If you read my previous post about the lawsuit that was filed against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, you know that the circus has long been accused of abusing elephants and other animals. Today, July 22, PETA released more evidence showing that elephants and tigers endure routine, systematic abuse of at the hands of Ringling workers.
An undercover investigator from PETA traveled with Ringling’s Red Unit and saw employees digging steel-tipped bullhooks into the sensitive skin behind elephants’ knees and under their trunks. According to PETA’ investigator, Ringling employees routinely struck and whipped both elephants and tigers.
At least eight employees—including an animal superintendent and a head elephant trainer—used bullhooks and other objects to strike elephants on the head, ears, and trunk. You can watch the undercover video footage for yourself at http://www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com/.
The investigator also saw animals exhibiting stereotypical, neurotic behaviors. One elephant, Tonka, showed signs of severe psychological stress but was nevertheless forced to perform night after night.
Following the investigation, PETA filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, alleging that Ringling and its employees repeatedly violated the Animal Welfare Act. PETA is calling on the agency to seize the 11 elephants currently used by Ringling’s Red Unit and place them in an environment where their physical and mental well-being are protected.
PETA also filed a criminal complaint with the ASPCA, as well as other law enforcement officers and prosecutors in seven states stretching from Alabama to Rhode Island. In addition, PETA filed a U.S. Department of the Interior compaint about Ringling’s mistreatment of endangered animals.
That’s what PETA has done—now what can you do? For starters, please personalize and send an automated message to Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack, urging him to seize the 11 elephants used in the circus. (The message can be found at http://www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com/.) You can also send an automated message to New York City officials and Taconic Investments to express your disappointment that they are allowing Ringling Bros. to perform in Coney Island this summer.
In addition, please send the video to all of your friends and relatives and post it on your Facebook account and other social networking sites. Spreading the word is key, so write a letter to the editor of your local paper to inform others about Ringling’s abusive actions. If you know families who attend the circus, urge them to insead patronize animal-friendly circuses like Cirque du Soliel. We must let children have fun—but not at animals’ expense.”
Bloggings of a Brown Eyed Girl 