THE BALLOON MAN

 

Opponents seek to block Cole Brothers circus from returning to Bristol
from: bristolpress.com
January 21, 2013
BRISTOL — Cole Brothers Circus hasn’t yet made a formal request to come to town again this year, but opponents are seeking to block the big top from being set up.

With their children in tow, several animal rights activists pleaded with the city’s Real Estate Committee recently to refuse to allow the traveling circus to pitch its tent on the former mall site downtown.

“There are certainly ways to entertain without diminishing other species,” said Kelly Fisk, a Bristol resident who stood outside the performances last summer to protest the use of wild animals.

Kim Laurie, another resident, said, “Elephants don’t want to be standing on a stool performing.”
Cole Brothers Circus of Stars includes a number of wild animals in their shows, including elephants and tigers.

Circus representatives say the animals receive top notch care while protesters say they are mistreated.
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http://www.bristolpress.com/articles/2013/01/21/news/doc50fcbb9fc9b89958971222.txt