Another circus sticking to the cruel and antiquated use of Elephants.
Article:
PETA Calls for Seizure of Elephants at Loves Park Circus
http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/47169197.html
Elephants are the iconic symbol of circus' around the world, but animal rights activists are calling for the seizure of three of them being used in a circus right here in the stateline. 23 News Reporter Chris Norman takes us under the big top with a look at this creature controversy.
Wide eyed excitement at the Tebala Shrine Circus, tainted by allegations of animal mistreatment. PETA, or people for the ethical treatment of animals, says three elephants, one seen here lost a combined 18-hundred pounds, just in the last year.
"These elephants are dragged around the country in over heated trailers for most of the year instead of walking up to thirty miles a day free of chains with their extended family in their native homeland," said RaeLeann Smith, PETA Circus amd Government Specialist.
Hamid Circus brought the elephants to the Indoor Sports Center. Its VP James Hamid Jr. says he and other circus owners hear these allegations all of the time. He denies PETA's claims and says there's nothing wrong with how his elephants are treated.
"There are certain people out there that don't do the right thing, and it's up to the producers to go out and find people who are following the letter of the law and treating their animals correctly, everyone on our show we feel does that," Hamid said. Hamid says he stays up to date with the US department of agriculture. An inspector was actually just out on Sunday. But PETA wants the government to step in now.
"We're hoping the USDA will act swiftly to ensure that these animals are pulled off the road and receiving adequate vet care before it's too late for them, " Smith said.
Hamid asks us to look at the animals, and judge for ourselves.
In its history the USDA has only confiscated two elephants. Over the weekend about 10,000 people attended the shows..
