Circus photos! Circus cruelty
Elephants are not the only animals abused at the circus. Lions, tigers, bears, horses, dogs, and numerous other species are beaten as a normal part of training, chained or confined for nearly 22 hours a day, left in hot trucks in the sun all summer, etc. For more information, see www.circuses.com
This is an elephant mentioned in the sworn testimony to the right. Click here for a larger, Shockwave version with loud music.The following is sworn testimony from two ex-Ringling's employees to the United States Department of Agriculture and Congress.
Glen D. Ewell, Ringling employee, Blue Unit, 10/98 - 12/98:
I've seen Benjamin and Shirley (another baby elephant) being beaten with the bullhook by Pat at least five times since I've been with Ringling Bros.
Randy took a bullhook and began beating Nicole in the head, on the trunk and behind the front foot ... until the handle of the bullhook shattered. Adam began beating her on the lumbar and hindquarter area on the right side.
Nicole was severly beaten by Randy and Adam because she performed poorly.
She (Karen) refused to stretch out and Randy, Adam, Pat and Steve all took bullhooks and began beating her ... the beating continued after she went down.
I resigned from Ringling Bros. because I could no longer tolerate the abuse the elephants were receiving.
Tom Rider, Ringling employee, Blue Unit, 6/97-11/99:
Whenever the USDA inspected the circus, the circus always knew in advance that they were coming. We were always told to clean up, don't hit the elephants when they come around.
When I became disturbed about the treatment of the elephants, the continual beatings, including the baby Benjamin, I was told, "That's discipline."
