PETA Letter @ elephants
FROM
FAX NO.
JWle 19,2006
The Honorable Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Dubuque City Council
City Hall, First Fl.
50 W. 13111 St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
1 Jl8llC via fax: S6J..S89-0890
Dear Mayor Bool and COIIlICilors:
People for the Ethical T_ent of Animals (PET A) is a nonprofit organlzatlon with
mOl'C than I million mcm~ and ll1lJlI'O"- dedicated to animal proteetion. ht
consideration of the documented elephant abuse that 1akes place at the Carson &: Barnes
Circus, which is sclIeduled to perform in Dubuque Qll June 24 and 25, we are writing to
ask that the City Co""eil _ legi.latiC)n that would""" bullhooks, e\ectru; prods, and
oIher devices lhat inflict pain on or causo iqjury to elephants. Similar legislation is
pettding in Chieago. May I pll>llSe meet with you to dia.;.... this issue?
The enolosed video footage shows Tim Frisco, Carson &: Barnes' animal care difeCtw,
viciously attaeking terrified elephants with metal bullhooks and electric prods. Frisco
instnIcts other lrainers to hurt the elephants until they scream and to sink a sharp metal
bullhook into their flesh and twist it. Frisco also cautions that the beatings mll$t be
concea.1cd &om the public. A U.S. District Court judge described this video as
"troubling" and noted that it depicts conduct that violates the Animal Welfare Act.
Carson & ~ paid a S400 IDle for misbandling elephants.
The use ofbullhooks resull8 in pain, sufFetinll. and trauma Including laceratious, pun_
wounds, swel1iDg. and abscesses. Although elephants' skin appears tou;h, it is aetually so
sensitive that elephants can feel the pain of an insoot bite. Trainers embed the sharp hooks
into the elephants' skin and soft tissue areas. Bullhook abuse is routine at circuses and
other facilities that continue to use this barbaric instrument, but penalties lmll'llR.
Elephants will not be afforded more humane care until communities prohibit these cruel
devices.
An elephant's ability to feel pain----as well as sorrow,joy, and happines&-rivals our own.
ht clrcusos, every instinct is subject to discipline. Elephants who reach for a blade of
grass, try to comfort amend, _d their trunks to smell sometl1ing new, or simply
throw straw and dirt Qll their backs when preparing for a show suffer a painfu1 blow &om
a bullhook. A fumbled trick during the show results in a beating. EIephan18 in circuses
live a sad lite of punishment and confinement.
We hope you agra; that the physical abuse of animals In circuses is unacceptable and
mUlit be stopped. You can OOIItact me at 206-367"()228 or via e-mail ar LlsaW@peta.org.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
~-;;:..."W~
~ Wathne
Captive Exotle Aulma1 Specialist
Enclosures: Cllnon &: Bames Cirws factsheet and elephant-1ntinlng video
Chicago's proposed Elephant Protection OnIinancc
Affidavit from unden:over investigator I'll CllI'SOn & Barnes Circus
peTA
PEOPLE FOR THE E'TIICAl.
TREATMENT OF ANIMALS
501 FRONT ST.
NORFOLK, VA 23510
757.622.PETA
757.622.0457 (FAX)
PETA.org
inlo@pela.ore