Protesters claim animal abuse at Cole Bros. circus in South Jersey
Calista Condo/Gloucester County TimesDelani Ly and her daughter, Gabriella, 3, of Philadelphia walk in front of animal rights protesters on their way to the Cole Bros. Circus hosted by the West Deptford Lions Club on Wednesday, August 29, 2012.
By Rebecca Forand/Gloucester County Times
from: nj.com
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
WEST DEPTFORD TWP. — The bright red and yellow big top of the Cole Bros. circus sits along Crown Point Road once again this year.
Outside, elephants traipse around a small circle with children on their backs. But standing in front of the tent, a small but dedicated group of protesters have vowed to speak to every spectator entering the circus arena this week.
By Rebecca Forand/Gloucester County Times
from: nj.com
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
WEST DEPTFORD TWP. — The bright red and yellow big top of the Cole Bros. circus sits along Crown Point Road once again this year.
Outside, elephants traipse around a small circle with children on their backs. But standing in front of the tent, a small but dedicated group of protesters have vowed to speak to every spectator entering the circus arena this week.
Carrying signs or handing out pamphlets, the individuals gathered are united in their cause — they want animal-free circuses and reserves or sanctuaries for the animals that have already been used.
The protesters claim that Cole Bros., and any circus that uses animals, is guilty of animal abuse
and multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
and multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
“People need to be educated about what goes on behind the curtain of the big top,” said Berlin resident and animal rights activist Dianne Tucker. “I started doing some research about two years ago, and the more I learn the more horrifying this show is.”
“So many people have no idea. They go the shows but they don’t see it,” added fellow protester and Westville resident Josh Barr.
As patrons crossed Crown Point Road to get from the parking lot to the circus tent Wednesday afternoon, the group stood quietly with signs depicting baby elephants tied by the legs and prodded with bull hooks — long, poker-like instruments — and handed out flyers depicting and describing the abuses they allege Cole Bros. to be guilty of.
Corrine White, of Voorhees, protests the circus any time it is performing nearby. The sign she displays reads: “You’re ticket $$$ supports animal abuse. You can still decide to spend your night somewhere else.”
For her, the goal is to get just one person to turn away from the circus and learn more about how animals are treated in such organizations.
“How many elephants do you know that stand on their head in the wild?” she asked. “Look into the elephants’ eyes. They are not happy. These are migratory animals that travel 25 miles a day in the wild, and what do they have here? A little circle.”
Woodbury resident Brittan Melton brought her two little girls to the circus. While the protest didn’t make her turn around, it did give her pause.
“People are entitled to their opinion. It’s something to think about, though.”
Cole Bros. has maintained that the circus treats its animals well, caring for them according to all government standards while educating show-goers about conservation of endangered species.
“We know that people attending our circus regularly have seen the animals are very well cared for and that our handlers are professional, caring, compassionate people,” Renee Storey, the circus’s vice president of administration, said earlier this week. “We help raise the public consciousness of these animals. There’s nothing like seeing an elephant and tiger up close to see how magnificent they are and to want to see them protected.”
The circus will have performances at 4:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30.
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