Dulce María Calls On U.S. to Follow Mexico’s Lead And Ban Circuses

Mexican Superstar Says All Animals Deserve to Be Free From Circus Cruelty

For Immediate Release:
March 11, 2015

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

In the wake of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ announcement that it will stop touring with elephants by 2018, Mexican superstar Dulce María calls on the United States to follow the lead of her home country and ban the use of all animals in circuses now. In a new video for PETA Latino, the Sin Fronteras singer and Rebelde actor asks her fans to stay away from any circus that uses wild animals.

“Imagine living most of your life in a basement or a cramped railroad boxcar,” María begins in the video. “Imagine being under the constant threat of being hit with a bullhook—a sharp metal weapon used by circus trainers to beat elephants into submission.” She goes on to describe how elephants in circuses are chained, are forced to perform in front of screaming crowds, and have their babies torn away from them shortly after birth. “When you buy a ticket to a circus that uses animals, that’s what you’re supporting,” María says.

Mexico isn’t alone in banning animal circuses—Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru have enacted similar bans. “I’m proud of my native country, Mexico, for recently taking the steps necessary to ban the use of wild animals in circuses. Now it’s time for other countries to follow in Mexico’s footsteps,” María concludes. “And if you care about animals, please help them by never going to the circus.”

María joins a long list of celebrities—including Kate del Castillo, Constance Marie, Wilmer Valderrama, Carla Morrison, Rubén Albarrán, Marco Antonio Regil, and Pablo Azar—who have joined with PETA Latino (whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”) to promote kindness to animals in various ways.

For more information and to watch the video, please visit PETALatino.com.