Victory: No More Live Tigers at School’s Proms

Christopher Columbus High School Prohibits All Live-Animal Exhibits Following Public Outcry, PETA Appeal Over Controversial Display

For Immediate Release:
May 15, 2018

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

Following an immense public outcry and less than 24 hours after TeachKind—PETA’s humane education division—sent a letter to Christopher Columbus High School regarding the caged-tiger display at its prom, Principal David Pugh II has confirmed to TeachKind that the school will not use animals at any future events: “[W]e will educate our students to respect wildlife and to protect all animals. Moving forward, we will not include live animals in any event or planned activity.”

“Christopher Columbus High School took to heart the public’s outrage over its decision to hold a tiger inside a tiny cage at its prom,” says PETA Senior Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “The school now joins more than 620 venues and dozens of communities across the country that have prohibited wild-animal exhibits, and TeachKind looks forward to an animal-free future at all its future events.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—has identified Predators Unlimited, Jeremy and Grisel Possman’s Miami-based operation, as the supplier of the animals at the school’s prom. This company’s violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act include failing to provide animals with safe and secure enclosures and adequate veterinary care, among others.

TeachKind’s correspondence is available upon request. For more information, please visit TeachKind.org.