The circus is in town, which makes some people happy, others unhappy.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey's "The Greatest Show on Earth" will perform tonight through Sunday at the Delta Center in its first major change in 50 years. The traditional three rings for performers have been eliminated in favor of a single 120-by-80-foot performance space.

While that change makes it easier for the audience to follow the action, people who oppose using animals for entertainment will not be pleased, especially the members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Salt Lake County native Rob Hutton, who works full time for PETA videotaping Ringling Brothers' treatment of animals, especially elephants, will be on the sidewalks and other public places documenting possible animal abuse. Hutton has spent the past eight months working for PETA since graduating from Georgetown University in 2005. He is a 2000 graduate of Bingham High School.

Hutton is upset at Ringling Brothers chaining elephants in parking lots and other places when they are not performing. "They live under constant threat of beatings and being tormented. I've seen them screamed at for reaching for a blade of grass."

Melinda Rosser, a Ringling Brothers spokesperson, said in her 10 years with the Feld organization, owner of Ringling Brothers and other entertainment businesses, she has never seen an elephant or other animal mistreated.

"All of our animals are well cared for. To me, it's cruel and cynical for anyone to capitalize on the misfortune of an animal or performer to further their political agenda."

While Hutton shoots video of supposed animal abuse for the PETA Web site, wwwcircuses.com, Rosser notes that Ringling Brothers shows are open to announced and unannounced inspections by local, state and federal authorities. "We're never been found in violation of the Animal Welfare Act." The Animal Welfare Act is a federal law passed in 1966 and administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Rosser said she is aware of Hutton and his videotaping. "I have probably seen Rob Hutton eight weeks in a row. "He shows up at our animal walks and where we unload the animals. He is doing what he feels strongly about."

Hutton does feel strongly about the use of a bullhook by trainers and handlers to get the elephants to perform. "If there is not a safe and effective way of training animals without such cruelty, then it's time to reconsider using animals in entertainment. If residents of Salt Lake City knew how much the animals suffered for a few minutes of entertainment, they would run the circus out of town," he said.

Rosser said Ringling Brothers has veterinarians with the animals 24 hours a day and the amount of food and water they consume is closely monitored to make sure they are not sick. "Our animals are fed and watered in prescribed measures on a regular schedule as determined by our veterinarian and the animal's trainer. Fresh food, including hay, protein-enriched grains and other dietary items are shipped to the animals from local sources each day," she said.

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E-mail: lweist@desnews.com