Reporter staff
PETA protesters assembled in front of the ShoWare Center on Thursday evening, claiming Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ inhumane treatment of performance elephants, and discouraging guests to attend the opening show in Kent.
Protesters displayed signs that read, “Ringling Beats Animals,” emblazoned with photos taken inside Ringling’s training compound.
PETA claims Ringling mistreats baby elephants, using “abusive” training sessions to force the animals to learn how to perform circus tricks out of fear of punishment.
“Kent residents would run screaming from the big top if they knew how baby elephants are violently forced to perform difficult, confusing and sometimes painful tricks,” said Delcianna Winders, PETA Foundation deputy general counsel. “Since children love animals, the last place that parents and grandparents should take them to is the circus.”
Ringling Bros. officials say they respect the opinions of others, maintaining the circus does its best to properly take care of its elephants.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reached a settlement with Ringling Bros. parent company, Feld Entertainment, in 2011. Feld agreed to pay $270,000 for alleged Animal Welfare Act violations, the largest civil penalty assessed against an animal exhibitor, according to Business Week.
Feld has said it did not admit to any wrongdoing in the settlement.
The circus has performances scheduled through Sunday at the ShoWare Center.
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