Dear Friends,
We are sad to report that, prior to going on break for the holidays, Carden International Circus continued to haul four elephants around the country including the long suffering Betty.
I personally attended the circus in El Paso, Texas in order to document the condition of the animals. As you may know, Betty suffers from possible trunk paralysis or some other ailment that causes her to leave her trunk on the ground as she walks. To hear the sound of Betty dragging her trunk around and around the vinyl surface of the circus ring with several riders precariously perched on her back was absolutely heartbreaking.
I was especially horrified to see that Betty was also suffering from a continually weeping right eye. Her handler kept a bullhook in one hand and a tissue in the other, which he subtly used to wipe her eye every couple of minutes. Despite the fact that she kept her eye mostly closed during her appearances for the entire evening, they made her give rides at the start, during intermission, and at the end of the circus, as well as perform stupid tricks during the show. Because the circus is about profit, NOT animal care.
Click here to see a brief video of Betty.
CompassionWorks International immediately filed an emergency complaint with the USDA on behalf of Betty for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act.
We ask you to please support our work to end animal cruelty by making a gift of any amount here. Donations are being doubled up to a total of $15,000 through year end.
It is important that we move forward in 2022 and continue to expose circuses, organize protests, and support positive legislative change. Just two days ago the city of Charlotte, NC banned the use of exotic animals in circuses! We proudly supported that effort over the last six years.
Help us keep fighting for Betty at: https://www.cwint.org/donate
Let us know you want to get involved in 2022 when a circus heads to your region by signing up on the front page of our dedicated anti-circus cruelty website circusprotest.com.
Wishing you a happy holiday season.
For the animals,
Carrie LeBlanc, M.A.
Executive Director, CompassionWorks International
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CompassionWorksIntl/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwintl