Activists distort circus settlement with USDA : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

Ms. Teresa Merner’s letter, “Send a clear message about animal abuse” (Feb. 3), stretches the truth about every issue it raises and does a disservice to the dedicated men and women with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus who are dedicated to caring for animals.

Ms. Merner completely mischaracterizes Feld Entertainment’s 2011 settlement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The settlement was a business decision to resolve open, and in many instances disputed, inspection findings. It was not an admission of any violation of the Animal Welfare Act but allows us to move forward to provide the best in animal care and live family entertainment.

Activist groups have distorted the settlement agreement and our record of animal care in an attempt to further their extreme agenda. What the letter fails to mention is that Ringling Bros. is inspected by animal welfare officials in nearly every city we visit and we are dedicated to the care and conservation of the endangered Asian elephant and many other animals. At Ringling Bros., care of our animals is a top priority. Everyone who comes to Ringling Bros. can see that the animals are healthy and well-cared-for — we hope that you will come see them for yourself when the circus returns to Greensboro this week.

Stephen Payne
Vienna, Va.

The writer is vice president, Corporate Communications, Feld Entertainment Inc., parent company of Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus.

retiree

February 7, 2012 - 9:27 am EST

Sadly, no amount of explanation from your company will satisfy the animal rights groups. They don't want any animal used for any purpose and I'm wondering why they aren't attacking farmers for using horses or mules to plow fields. Their logic fails as a generalization since they contend any allegation which proves to be correct is indicative of "all" allegations. That's like saying a bad driver from California means all California drivers are bad. Sadly, they are the ones who need to be inspected to examine their true motives . . . .which I think are to get paid off to settle cases which will keep their funding stream alive.

My recommendation to the citizens of Greensboro? Go see the circus and have a great time . . . and pet the elephants too.

thinkingman

February 7, 2012 - 12:06 pm EST

In case readers don't see it on the main Opinion page, here's a good, well thought-out response to this letter:
http://www.news-record.com/blog/54431/entry/137239

EducatedConsumer

February 7, 2012 - 3:04 pm EST

You can read the USDA Inspections Reports documenting the 24 violations of the Animal Welfare Act brought against Ringling’s. http://rbviolations.webs.com/
Along with all those photos that came out in 2009 showing how Ringling’s trains its baby elephant behind closed doors using brute force, bullhooks, ropes and electric prod is just more proof that they do not treat their exotic animals humanely. http://www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com/bound-babies.asp
Dr. Joyce Poole is a world renowned elephant researcher of 37 years. She states:
“How many children would choose to go to the circus if they knew what takes place behind the scenes? ....The totally unnatural existence for circus elephants is a travesty and to allow this practice to continue is unjustified and unethical.” Elephant Voices.org
http://www.elephantvoices.org/elephant-interests/-in-circuses.html
An educated consumer is the circus’s worst enemy, because they know once you learn the truth you won't bring your families back.

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