THE BALLOON MAN

As PETA protests, Fulton, Atlanta clash over elephant bullhooks

PETA supports protested in front of Philips Arena Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, where Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus is being held.

By Joel Anderson and Johnny Edwards

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

February 15, 2012

While animal rights advocates staged a protest Wednesday against a circus at Philips Arena, Fulton County commissioners voiced displeasure with Atlanta's refusal to go along with the county's ban on a controversial elephant training tool.The issue started as a spat between Fulton and Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus over the use of bullhooks by elephant handlers. It quickly evolved into a territorial dispute, with county officials miffed the city would not support their ban on bullhooks inside city limits.The circus opened Wednesday night after winning a ruling two days earlier from a Fulton County judge, who handed down an injunction barring enforcement of the county ordinance in Atlanta.read more:http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/as-peta-protests-fulton-1349949.html