PETA Statement re Elephant Truck Breakdown

For Immediate Release:
January 24, 2018

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Below, please find a statement from PETA Foundation Associate Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Rachel Mathews in response to reports that a vehicle carrying elephants owned by Carson & Barnes Circus broke down on U.S. 69 near Eufaula, Oklahoma, on Wednesday afternoon:

The record shows that elephants from this circus were beaten into performing tricks and giving rides, chained up inside cramped trailers, and hauled across the country, putting their lives at risk. This abuse is rampant in the circus industry, which has seen circus trains crash, animals trapped inside overturned trailers, elephants used as living carjacks, tigers left without water, and a tiger shot after escaping at a truck stop. Because of this notorious circus’s total disregard for animals’ well-being, PETA urges everyone to stay away from acts and exhibitions that put exotic animals on display—and risk their lives on the road.

PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment.” For more information, please visit PETA.org.