Many of you have joined PETA and PETA India (as well as Paul McCartney) in calling for the release of Sunder, the horribly abused baby elephant who was held captive in spiked chains in a dark shed at the Jyotiba Temple in Maharashtra, India. Despite assurances from the government that Sunder would be taken into … Read more »
PETA is calling for an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) inspector general following the departure of the agency’s former deputy general counsel, Kenneth Vail—the man who was tasked with enforcing animal protection regulations for the USDA and who has now taken a job with the Ringling Bros. circus, which is counted among … Read more »
PETA has asked the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office to immediately release records related to the city’s decision to allow the Ringling Bros. circus to force ailing elephants to perform during its recent stint at the Staples Center despite expert advice to the contrary and despite apparently breaching the city’s own laws. Sound Advice When Ringling … Read more »
Update: PETA has just received word that following its submission of evidence of this cruel beating to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agency’s Investigative and Enforcement Services has opened a formal investigation into the matter. Originally posted June 15: A security guard has reported that an animal attendant with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & … Read more »
While every Morrissey show is darkly entertaining, every Ringling show, with its behind-the-scenes elephant beatings, is just plain dark. So when Moz played Boston right as Ringling was rolling into town, he gave his bandmates PETA’s “Ringling Beats Animals” tees to wear and gave Ringling the big middle drumstick: © FilmMagic Morrissey knows that true … Read more »
One thing wasn’t up for debate last night—PETA’s “elephant” turned almost as many heads at the presidential debate as the motorcades did. President Barack Obama read the elephant’s sign and responded with a wave. Mitt Romney likely got the message, too, as he passed by twice. Fox News pundit Juan Williams took our circus leaflet … Read more »
PETA has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after someone in the audience sent us this video showing a handler with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ Red Unit hooking and striking an elephant named Luna—who has a history of leg problems—with a bullhook (a weapon used by the circus that … Read more »
The following was originally posted on September 25, 2012. Update: Because of a change in the council’s agenda, a vote was not held on the 25th. Please keep watching The PETA Files for further details. This is exciting: Today, the City of Anaheim will consider banning the use of exotic animals in traveling exhibitions—including circuses! Ringling Bros. … Read more »
Tampa, Florida, is crowded with “elephants,” and Charlotte, North Carolina, will soon be filled with “donkeys“ as Republicans and Democrats gather for their respective national conventions. But which real animal would win in a showdown between an elephant and a donkey? PETA takes stock of the competition: © iStockphoto.com/Francois6 Physical prowess: Elephants are active for 18 hours a … Read more »
As President Obama hits the road, he’s finding himself dogged by an elephant. PETA is asking Mr. Obama to direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to start confiscating these abused animals, who are so cruelly trained and treated by Ringling Bros. and other circuses. Circus Cruelty Is Bull(hooks) In fact, in the circus, abuse … Read more »
Groupon claims it’s all about deals, but it’s giving animals and consumers a raw one. The online discounter has been offering tickets to circus performances, claiming to promote only circuses with “clean [U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)] and public record inspection reports from at least the past 2 years.” But if Groupon were actually checking … Read more »
Update: Over the weekend, Sunder became violent and uncontrollable and attempted to escape. The fierce outburst included pulling down a heavy pillar to which he was tied with strong ropes and ransacking local retail shops—actions that show that he is suffering severely and is desperate to flee from his abusers. Pillar to which Sunder was … Read more »
Paul McCartney just made an Olympic-sized move for animals. In the midst of preparations for the London Olympics, which begin tomorrow, he put rehearsals on hold to send an urgent letter to Indian Forest Minister Dr. Patangrao Shripatrao Kadam asking him to help rescue an abused baby elephant. The young elephant, named Sunder, is confined … Read more »
Update: At Atlanta’s City Hall, B-52s singer Fred Schneider, surrounded by City Councilmember Felicia Moore and other PETA supporters, called on the City Council to pass a total ban on bullhooks. “How can we do this to elephants?” he asked. “I can’t imagine doing this to our cats, dogs, or other pets we love.” Moore … Read more »
With support from PETA and local PETA members and hard work by local animal rights group Alliance for Animals, which initiated the proposal, the Dane County, Wisconsin, Board of Supervisors has enacted a ban on elephant performances at all county-owned facilities. James Preston|cc by 2.0 PETA members and members of local animal rights group Alliance … Read more »
