Animal-rights group asks Leighton to impose ban after elephant kills groomer at Irem Shrine Circus.
By Jen Marckini jmarckini@timesleader.comStaff Writer
Thursday, April 15, 2010 6:44 am
WILKES-BARRE – The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling on city Mayor Thomas Leighton to impose a ban on all wild animal acts in the wake of a fatal elephant incident at the Irem Shrine Circus.
Related headlinesCircus fatal blamed on wire sparks
The animal-rights group sent the letter to Leighton on Tuesday asking him to impose the ban after the incident in which a groomer was killed by the show’s lone elephant, Dumbo.
Leighton said that when he reviews the letter he will respond.
The female African elephant killed its groomer, Andrew Anderton, 48, of Florida, in between performances at last Friday’s Irem Shrine-sponsored circus held at the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 109th Field Artillery Armory, Wilkes-Barre, according to police and a circus spokesman.
Irem Shrine Circus Service Chairman John Richards had said Saturday that Anderton was trying to fix electrical wires in the ceiling attached to the wall that were sparking near the elephant. The wires operated a large garage door in the rear of the armory. The elephant was startled after coming in contact with the wires and somehow inflicted traumatic injuries on Anderton, who subsequently died.
Since 1990, incidents involving captive elephants in the United States have resulted in 14 deaths and more than 135 injuries, according to PETA.
“This was a tragedy that didn’t have to happen,” said PETA director Debbie Leahy. “Animals used in circuses are ticking time bombs, and officials must step in to protect both the animals and the public.”
The group is asking that Dumbo be taken off the road and that her condition be examined.
David Perle, a spokesman for PETA, said one of the protesters at last week’s Shrine circus reported the incident to the group’s animal emergency hotline.
A complaint was also filed by PETA with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, asking the agency to revoke the license of an animal exhibitor who is believed to have provided the Irem Circus with the elephant, the letter states.
USDA has cited Shrine Circus exhibitors for failing to provide veterinary care and for the inadequate handling of animals, the animal rights group said.
Irem Shrine Circus and USDA officials could not immediately be reached Tuesday evening.
The letters, both signed by RaeLeann Smith, circus and government affairs specialist for PETA, states years of abusive treatment, such as training with bull hooks and electric prods, and extreme confinement can cause animals to snap.
PETA has received complaints about Dumbo and other incidents of violence associated with the elephant, Smith said. The group has not released details of those incidents.
“Nobody was there and we haven’t seen any video footage of what happened,” Smith said. “We feel the public should stand up and say ‘enough.’ People go to the circus because they love animals. When they see what goes on they don’t want to support that.”
Jen Marckini, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210.
WILKES-BARRE – The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling on city Mayor Thomas Leighton to impose a ban on all wild animal acts in the wake of a fatal elephant incident at the Irem Shrine Circus.
Related headlinesCircus fatal blamed on wire sparks
The animal-rights group sent the letter to Leighton on Tuesday asking him to impose the ban after the incident in which a groomer was killed by the show’s lone elephant, Dumbo.
Leighton said that when he reviews the letter he will respond.
The female African elephant killed its groomer, Andrew Anderton, 48, of Florida, in between performances at last Friday’s Irem Shrine-sponsored circus held at the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 109th Field Artillery Armory, Wilkes-Barre, according to police and a circus spokesman.
Irem Shrine Circus Service Chairman John Richards had said Saturday that Anderton was trying to fix electrical wires in the ceiling attached to the wall that were sparking near the elephant. The wires operated a large garage door in the rear of the armory. The elephant was startled after coming in contact with the wires and somehow inflicted traumatic injuries on Anderton, who subsequently died.
Since 1990, incidents involving captive elephants in the United States have resulted in 14 deaths and more than 135 injuries, according to PETA.
“This was a tragedy that didn’t have to happen,” said PETA director Debbie Leahy. “Animals used in circuses are ticking time bombs, and officials must step in to protect both the animals and the public.”
The group is asking that Dumbo be taken off the road and that her condition be examined.
David Perle, a spokesman for PETA, said one of the protesters at last week’s Shrine circus reported the incident to the group’s animal emergency hotline.
A complaint was also filed by PETA with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, asking the agency to revoke the license of an animal exhibitor who is believed to have provided the Irem Circus with the elephant, the letter states.
USDA has cited Shrine Circus exhibitors for failing to provide veterinary care and for the inadequate handling of animals, the animal rights group said.
Irem Shrine Circus and USDA officials could not immediately be reached Tuesday evening.
The letters, both signed by RaeLeann Smith, circus and government affairs specialist for PETA, states years of abusive treatment, such as training with bull hooks and electric prods, and extreme confinement can cause animals to snap.
PETA has received complaints about Dumbo and other incidents of violence associated with the elephant, Smith said. The group has not released details of those incidents.
“Nobody was there and we haven’t seen any video footage of what happened,” Smith said. “We feel the public should stand up and say ‘enough.’ People go to the circus because they love animals. When they see what goes on they don’t want to support that.”
Jen Marckini, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210.
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