Circus Comes To Town, Investigated By Feds
By Mike Valerio | Reporter
April 6, 2012
ONSLOW COUNTY -- A popular circus rolls into town, but it visits the area without an important federal license.
The Cole Bros. Circus arrived in Jacksonville Thursday morning without a federal animal exhibitor license. It has been without the permit since February 2008. So how is the circus performing this holiday weekend?
"We don't own any animals here," ringmaster Chris Connors said. "All the animals at this show are owned by individual people."
During an animal cruelty investigation launched by the United States Department of Agriculture, Cole Bros. voluntarily surrendered its exhibitor license in 2008. Three trainers employed by the circus then took on the responsibilities of applying for licenses, giving the company a clean slate.
According to USDA officials, an animal cruelty investigation is still ongoing concerning allegations of abuse from 2006 to 2010. A Cole Bros. spokesperson denied the allegations
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