PETA Calls On Centropolis to Bar Abuser’s Tiger Act; Protest Scheduled

Send Notorious Hawthorn Corporation Packing, Say Animal Protectionists 

For Immediate Release:
September 4, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Laval, Québec — The notoriously cruel Hawthorn Corporation has accumulated $272,500 in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) penalties for Animal Welfare Act violations, had its license suspended twice, and been forced to relinquish numerous animals, which is why PETA has sent a letter to Laval officials urging them to prohibit Hawthorn’s tiger act during upcoming performances of the Shrine circus. In the event that the tiger act goes on, members of PETA and the Kebek Animal Rights Association will converge on the Centropolis, at 1799 Avenue Pierre-Péladeau, for a spirited protest on Saturday, September 14, at 11 a.m.

“Hawthorn has locked tigers in tiny cages, deprived them of vital veterinary care and adequate food, and allowed dozens of these endangered animals to die,” says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. “PETA is calling on the Centropolis to refuse to do business with law-violating and abusive enterprises such as Hawthorn.”

Hawthorn’s egregious violations have continued for more than two decades despite more than 100 USDA citations, including for inadequate veterinary care and space, failing to provide animals with adequate nutrition, and the physical abuse of animals. Hawthorn has confined tigers to cages barely larger than their own bodies for as long as four consecutive months, according to USDA records. In addition, more than 30 tigers have died in Hawthorn’s care since 2000.

For more information, please visit PETA.org. To learn more about Hawthorn Corporation’s abysmal history of animal abuse and neglect, click here.