PETA Releases Video of Alleged Ringling Bros. Abuse
Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 | Updated 4:22 PM CDT
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A performer rides an elephant during a live performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
PETA converged on the American Airlines Center on Thursday to show newly-released video of what it says is animal cruelty at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
"We recently went undercover and documented routine abuse of elephants and tigers at the hands of Ringling trainers," said Virginia Ford, a PETA campaigner.
The footage shows circus employees digging sharp metal bull hooks into the skin behind the elephants' knees as well as whipping and jabbing elephants and tigers.
"We're hoping that once people see this footage that they will boycott Ringling Bros. until they get rid of all their animals," Ford said.
PETA said it has filed formal complaints with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 18 prosecutors and law-enforcement officials in the states where the alleged abuse took place.
Circus spokeswoman Amy McWethy has previously denied the claims.
The circus is scheduled for stops in Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin through late August.
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