Written by Michelle Kretzer
A lot has been happening this week at PETA: victories, anniversaries, and celebrations! We're after CareerBuilder, we stopped shipments of monkeys to laboratories, and we've done much more! Check out the latest news and victories:
What a busy week it's been in the PETAsphere! Just in case you missed any of the big news, we've got you covered. Follow us on Tumblr for future news about animal rights, vegan living, and where in the world the PETA campaigners are now.
Has anyone ever told you that ending animal abuse is your middle name? Meet a man for whom fighting cruelty is his first, middle, and last name. PETA Foundation staffer Dan Carron has legally changed his name to CircusesHurtAnimals.com. As he admired his new driver's license, we asked him what he thinks life will be like as a website.
Whose reaction are you most looking forward to? Perhaps restaurant hosts who call out, "CircusesHurtAnimals.com, party of four"?What a great reason to eat out more! Yes, I think daily run-ins with people will be the most interesting. I use a debit card a lot, so I will be signing CircusesHurtAnimals.com for people constantly.
What does your mom think about your name change?My mom always encouraged me to speak out against all forms of cruelty, and when she learned about the abuse involved with circuses, she was happy to have a son named CircusesHurtAnimals.com—although she still calls me Danny.
Do you think that you will get much bigger birthday cakes now?That was part of the plan!
What is your ultimate goal with changing your name?I want to use every chance I get to tell people why they should boycott circuses that use animals. After people have visited CircusesHurtAnimals.com and have seen the elephants chained for up to 100 straight hours and have seen the baby elephants who were torn away from their families and beaten bloody with bullhooks, I think they will stop supporting this abuse.
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Ready to join CircusesHurtAnimals.com in slamming the circus? Get started right now with PETA's addictive new iPhone game, Circus Slam!
Written by PETA
It sounds like a bit from a Jeff Foxworthy routine, but unfortunately, these rednecks aren't kidding: The Piccadilly Circus is hauling around a diapered kangaroo named Rocky and forcing him to "fight" in boxing matches. PETA has asked officials in Pueblo, Colorado, the circus's next stop, to enforce an ordinance that prohibits animals from being mistreated or abused and to stop the show from taking place. Regardless of where you live, please let Pueblo officials know that you expect them to pull the plug on this cruel show.
Rocky is clearly stressed and has charged people during photo shoots and chewed on his own arm, and although restrained, he has attempted to flee the ring during the act. Javier Martinez, the exhibitor responsible for this spectacle, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for failing to handle a kangaroo in a manner that does not cause trauma, behavioral stress, physical harm, or unnecessary discomfort while in Pueblo in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.
At least two kangaroos used in Martinez's "boxing" act have died while touring with a circus, including one who died from complications of a deadly bacterial disease called "lumpy jaw," which can result from severe crowding, poor hygiene, poor diet, and stressful conditions.
Put the pressure on Pueblo officials by sending them an e-mail today and urging them to KO the kangaroo boxing act.
Written by Jennifer O'Connor
Demonstrators at yesterday's protest of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' opening night in Denver ranged in age from a 3-year-old girl to senior citizens, and every one of the more than 60 attendees played a vital role in helping to expose the circus's abuse of animals.
The protesters engaged many potential circusgoers in meaningful conversations about how Ringling's trainers beat elephants. At least one couple decided right then and there not to attend the circus. And even if the circusgoers could ignore the adults, they couldn't say "No" to the adorable children handing out literature.
Whether you're a veteran animal advocate or first-time protester, an AARP member or in the pre-K set, it is never the wrong time to speak out against cruelty to animals. Contact PETA's Action Team to learn how you can start getting active for animals today.
Written by Michelle Sherrow
Thanks to the generosity of fantastic PETA supporter and activist, Anna Ware, PETA has been able to put billboards up across Augusta, Georgia—ahead of the arrival of the notoriously cruel Cole Bros. Circus to that city—making sure that residents know that elephants used in circuses endure a lifetime of abuse and neglect and that "Elephants Never Forget."
Animal advocates will also protest outside circus performances in Augusta, and PETA members will greet students leaving Augusta's Monte Sano Elementary School to let families know about the Cole Bros. Circus' cruel treatment of animals. Cole Bros. was repeatedly charged with violations after authorities found evidence that animals used by the circus were beaten, malnourished, overworked, and neglected. And in June, an elephant handler working with the circus was caught on video viciously beating an elephant. If a circus that uses animals is scheduled to come to your town, don't take it lying down—stand up and give animal abusers an experience that they won't soon forget. Find out how to get active for animals here.
Written by Jeff Mackey
UPDATE: Last week, Doug Terranova resigned from his position as zookeeper at the Dallas Zoo citing "issues in his business and personal life". Let's hope he stays far, far away from any animals.
An exotic-animal trainer's days of abusing exotic animals may be coming to an end. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has just heard the complaints against Doug Terranova, who has trained and provided elephants, big cats, primates, camels, and other animals for commercial use by circuses and television shows.
In 2009, PETA filed a complaint with the USDA after Kamba, an elephant in Terranova's care, escaped while on loan to a traveling circus and was struck by a sport utility vehicle on a highway outside the circus arena. It was at least the second time that Kamba had escaped and run amok.
PETA requested that Kamba be confiscated, and she was later taken to the Dallas Zoo for rehabilitation. The zoo subsequently purchased Kamba and Congo, another elephant previously in Terranova's care. Terranova was hired as a keeper at the zoo, although his employment status may change depending on the outcome of the hearing. The USDA could impose fines or restrict Terranova's license to exhibit animals. We'll keep you posted.
If you've ever wished that you could make strangers think about animal rights issues without uttering a word, you'll want to own this super-stylish "whips and chains" tote by Calico Dragon Bags.
Want a chance to bag this tote? Tell us what cruelty-free message you'd like to have emblazoned on a bag by leaving a comment below.
The person whose entry bowls over our judges will win the prize. The contest ends on January 19, 2011, and one winner will be chosen on January 21, 2011. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.
Good luck!
Written by Karin Bennett
Tokio Hotel has no reservations about speaking out against animal abuse in circuses. Just check out PETA Germany's edgy new "Stop Circus Cruelty" ad featuring Bill and Tom Kaulitz, the talented vegetarian twins behind this überpopular German rock band:
Ah, what wunderbar boys! That's German for "wonderful." Now here's the part where you can do something wunderbar for elephants who are beaten with metal-tipped bullhooks and tigers who are forced to tremble before trainers with whips. Please watch and share our undercover Ringling investigation and then take action to help ailing elephants. Written by Amy Skylark Elizabeth
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus arrives this week in Bridgeport, Connecticut, which was once the circus's headquarters. P.T. Barnum called the city home and even served as its mayor, and the city now features a Barnum museum. But the local paper hopes that animal acts will soon be relegated to Ringling history.
The Connecticut Post has published an editorial calling for an end to the use of animals in circuses. Says the Post, "[C]haining these animals up, wresting them from their families, parading them through the streets, and forcing them to perform for our amusement is, at the least, inhumane. A better word would be 'cruel.'"
The editorial praises PETA's campaigns against Ringling, stating, "PETA has been known through the years for outrageousness in their demonstrations against animal cruelty …. This time, there's nothing over the top about their tactics. Representatives are simply touring the nation, displaying incontrovertible evidence of how elephants are broken and 'trained.'"
Please thank the Connecticut Post for speaking up for animals, and then urge federal officials to seize the elephants Ringling hauls around the country in boxcars and forces to perform under threat of punishment.
Adult film star Joanna Angel has taken time out of producing, writing, acting, and directing to conduct a PETA interview about the injustice of forcing animals to do tricks in circuses. In the interview, Joanna points out that chained elephants, whipped tigers, and stressed-out horses don't perform because they want to—they do it because they know that they'll be beaten if they don't.
Joanna believes that only willing participants should be involved in the entertainment industry. This angel for animals also talks about the importance of adopting from animal shelters, the wonderful selection of vegetarian foods available, and "a lot of little things you could be doing" to help animals.
Spread your own sexy message by wearing one of our "Vegans Make Great Lovers" tees.
If you have a general question for PETA and would like a response, please e-mail Info@peta.org. If you need to report cruelty to an animal, please click here. If you are reporting an animal in imminent danger and know where to find the animal and if the abuse is taking place right now, please call your local police department. If the police are unresponsive, please call PETA immediately at 757-622-7382 and press 2.
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