Cole Bros. Circus has a history of animal abuse and neglect and of risking public safety. 

We, the undersigned, ask that you DO NOT allow public property (Dutchess Stadium) to be used by Cole Bros. Circus for reasons stated herein. As taxpayers we find it unacceptable our money helps to provide a platform for outdated and dangerous activity executed under illegal circumstances. As compassionate people we find animal cruelty reprehensible. 

·         In 1999, the USDA charged Cole Brothers with violating the Animal Welfare Act; USDA undersecretary Michael Dunn stated, “We believe that on numerous occasions, employees of the Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers Circus abusively used an elephant hook on several animals.”
*An elephant hook, also known as bull hook or ankus, consists of a sharpened hook (usually bronze or steel) which is attached to a two or three foot handle. The hook is inserted into the elephant's sensitive skin, either slightly or more deeply, to cause pain and induce the elephant to behave in a certain manner.

 • In 2000, USDA inspectors noted that two Cole Brothers elephants had elephant hook scars.    

 • In 2003, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited Cole Brothers, after a handler struck an elephant repeatedly with a broom handle.

 • In February 2011, both Cole brothers along with John Pugh, owner of Cole Bros. Circus, pleaded guilty to violating the Endangered Species Act by illegally selling two Asian elephants.

In April 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the Cole Bros. Circus and its president, John Pugh, had agreed to pay $15,000 to settle charges that it "willfully violated" the Animal Welfare Act. The charges cited multiple alleged violations:

 • failure to provide adequate veterinary care to animals; specifically, one elephant was found to be severely underweight. 

 • failure to handle an elephant during public exhibition in a way that assured the safety of the animal and the public. The circus employed a handler who lacked adequate training and experience in handling elephants. The USDA found that the handler, “repeatedly hit the elephant with an ankus [bull hook] during both rides and circus performance.”

 • employing a tiger handler who “lacked adequate training, knowledge and experience in handling tigers.”

Due to these consistent, and multiple violations, the Cole Bros. Circus’ license to own animals has been revoked by the federal government. They circumvent this revocation by renting animals from other owners and continue their cycle of misery.

Cole Bros. Circus currently employs notoriously cruel elephant trainer Tim Frisco to tour with, and handle the elephants for, their circus. Undercover video, http://youtu.be/5ulw7RtZoao [warning, graphic] shows Frisco's brutal conduct with these highly intelligent, sentient beings. Please note the elephant hook in Frisco's hand during this attack.

Cole Bros. Circus continues to tour the United States arriving at nearly 100 different locations each year including the Dutchess County Stadium each summer. 

Denying Cole Bros. Circus the use of our public land is a small step in protecting your constituents from harm, and for taking an ethical stand against perpetrators of animal cruelty. Dutchess County will be in good company. Wild animal acts are BANNED or RESTRICTED in 40 cities and counties across the country - from Pasadena, CA  to Stamford, CT.   Including the town of WALKILL, NY!

There are many members of the community who oppose circus animal acts because of the cruelty.  We are taxpayers and voters and want our voices to be heard.  Hopefully, you, our elected officials, will hear our voices and the facts and act accordingly by denying Cole Bros. Circus the permit needed to assemble in Dutchess County.
Thank you for taking our thoughts into consideration.  For further information please contact:  Ann LaGoy   email: ann@soundearth.com