‘Tiger’ to Roar in Protest Outside Shrine Circus

PETA Members Will Call on Families to Stay Away Until Circus Goes Animal-Free

For Immediate Release:
March 31, 2017

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

What:    A costumed “tiger” will lead PETA members in a spirited protest against the Tigris Shrine Circus at the New York State Fairgrounds this weekend. The action comes as other Shrine circuses are moving away from using wild animals—and Ringling Bros. circus, citing the public’s changing attitudes about its use of animals as well as a decade of declining ticket sales, removed elephants from its shows last year before announcing that it’ll go out of business in May.

When:    Saturday, April 1, 1:30 p.m.

                Sunday, April 2, 4:00 p.m.

Where:    New York State Fairgrounds, Gate 6, Grey Street, Syracuse 

“Elephants, tigers, and other animals are caged, chained, and bullied into performing circus tricks,” says PETA Foundation Associate Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Rachel Mathews. “PETA is calling on families to stay away from the Tigris Shrine Circus until it agrees to feature exclusively willing, talented human performers.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—notes that circus handlers routinely whip tigers and jab elephants with bullhooks (weapons that resemble a fireplace poker with a sharp metal hook on one end). Animal-based circuses keep animals on the road for up to 50 weeks a year, and when they aren’t being used in performances, they’re usually chained or locked inside cramped cages.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.