To the Editor:
Ringling Bros. Circus clowns Kelley and Highley can gloss over the very real abuses perpetuated on animals in this circus, but the facts speak for themselves (‘Clowning around under the big top, Nov. 23). Many animals used by Ringling have died as a result of egregious neglect or outright abuse. An 8-month-old elephant named Riccardo was killed by Ringling after he fractured both hind legs when he fell off a circus pedestal. Benjamin, a 4-year-old baby elephant, drowned in a pond as he tried to move away from a trainer who was threatening him with a bullhook. Ringling paid federal authorities $20,000 to settle charges of failing to provide veterinary care to a dying baby elephant named Kenny. Other animal deaths include a caged tiger who was shot to death, a lion who died of apparent heatstroke, a horse who was used despite a chronic medical condition who died during a Ringling animal march, and a wild-caught sea lion who was found dead in her transport cage. See Circuses.com for more info.
Jennifer O’Connor, Animals in Entertainment Campaigns Writer, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals