History of Deadly Elephant Attacks Trails Marietta Circus Handler

Shrine Circuses Rank Number Seven on PETA’s List of the Eight Worst Circuses in the U.S.

For Immediate Release:
May 22, 2015

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

A day under the big top is no fun for the animals used by Shrine circuses, one of which is performing through Monday in Marietta. These notoriously cruel and dangerous outfits recently claimed the number seven spot on PETA’s list of the Top Eight Worst Circuses in the U.S. All these circuses have high rates of cruelty to animals and public endangerment.

“Animals do not stand on their hind legs, balance on balls, or ride bicycles without the constant threat of violent punishment—and these frustrated animals have been known to lash out,” says PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel Delcianna Winders. “PETA encourages families to protect their children and spare animals a lifetime of suffering by never purchasing a ticket to Shrine circuses or any other circus that still beats animals into performing.”

Shrine circuses don’t have exhibitor’s licenses, so they lease animals from outside exhibitors—almost all of whom have lengthy records of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act. There have been six serious elephant attacks—two of which were deadly—associated with elephant handler Patricia Zerbini and her father, Tarzan. Patricia Zerbini has also been cited for failing to supply adequate veterinary care to an elephant who was exposed to the human strain of tuberculosis—which is highly transmissible between elephants and humans even without direct contact—and for endangering the public by exhibiting him even though he had not been properly treated for the disease.

For more information, please visit PETA’s blog.