From Deseret News archives:
PETA wants Salt Lake City to ban elephant chaining
In a letter sent Monday morning to Anderson and the council, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals requested that the council enact an ordinance that would stop the shackling of the pachyderms.
"If they were to consider banning the use of chains for elephants traveling to their city, it would give (the elephants) a much needed reprieve from the shackling they endure," said RaeLeann Smith, circus specialist with PETA.
Smith specifically points to Jewel, a 55-year-old Ringling Bros. pachyderm whose front left leg is so stiff that she must swing it when she walks. PETA attributes this to prolonged chaining.
"It's sad. She's in excruciating pain," Smith said. "What's really heartbreaking is (Ringling Bros.) continues to drag her around the country and chain her. In some cities, they haven't even used her. It seems pretty obvious that if she's not well enough to be used in performances, she needs to be retired."
But circus officials say the stiff leg is because of her old age.
"She's in good shape," said Tom Albert, vice president of government relations and animal policy for Ringling. "One of the things that vets say is, just like with people, the more exercise, the better."
He added that handlers are with the elephants 24 hours a day, and the animals have regular check-ups by veterinarians.
"Animals get taken care of before the people do," Albert said. "Our folks don't get to have a meal and take a shower until the elephants have a meal and take a shower."
The letter is part of a new PETA campaign that targets Ringling. The nonprofit group refers to a pending measure in Chicago that sets strict standards for elephants brought into the city.
The Elephant Protection Ordinance was brought for consideration by the City Council after three elephants died at the Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo. One of those elephants, 36-year-old Wankie, died in May 2005 after being routed to Utah's Hogle Zoo.
As of Tuesday, Salt Lake City Council members had yet to see the PETA letter. Anderson and his spokesman Patrick Thronson did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Smith said no leaders have contacted her from any of the cities that received letters. Albert also has yet to be contacted and said this is normal procedure for PETA.
"They have people with video cameras that pretty much stalk our workers," he said. "When they get that 15 seconds of an animal with a stiff leg, they put it on their Web site or put it on a DVD, send it all over the country and say, 'Oh my God, look what they're doing to her.'"
Albert encourages Utahns concerned with Jewel's well-being to check her out for themselves at the animal open house before the circus performances. The circus begins its three-day run at the Delta Center on Sept. 27.
Even so, PETA also has video footage on its Web site, circuses.com, showing Ringling Bros. handlers hitting elephants with bullhooks.
"Sadly, you'd think Ringling would stand up and cheerlead an effort like this," Smith said. "We haven't seen that response from them. It's really disconcerting because they continue to fail the elephants in their care."
E-mail: astowell@desnews.com
