Ringling Bros. Elephant Abuse VIDEO: Employees Caught On Tape Beating Animals

PETA has released a new video documenting what the animal rights organization deems abuse of elephants by workers for Ringling Bros. circus. The video contains footage of "beating, whipping and hooking," according to PETA. Much of the footage was captured backstage before the animals entered the ring to perform by an undercover worker using a secret camera. More from the New York Daily News:

The undercover PETA employee scored a job with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and traveled with the circus as it toured seven states, a spokesman said.

Footage was shot between January and June, the animal rights organization said, and included a stint at Madison Square Garden.

"He witnessed these elephants being beaten for no apparent reason," said Daphna Nachminovitch, PETA's vice president for cruelty investigations, who described the abuse as "consistent" and "routine."

Comments

[corsair1917]

Here is the phone link for the headquarters for FELD Entertainment --- Owner of Ringling Bros.
703. 448. 4000

[mukTech]

That's why I don't go to any circus or zoo. I believe these animals belong in the wild. It is sad to see this abuse.

I think these people need to be arrested and prosecuted for abusing these animals. If Michael Vick was sent to jail for 23 months, and lost everything, then these Giggling Brothers circus needs to be shut down, and the brothers and their abusif workers be sent to jail.

[effitol]

Here's the link to contact Ringling Bro's.

http://www.ringling.com/ContactUs.aspx

Tell em' what you think and that you're forwarding the story to all your friends/associates.

We could shut them down in no time!

[sdp0812]

Thanks for the link - just sent a little nasty-gram. Hope others follow suit!

[arabianway]

I just told them again what I think, and have posted the link to Facebook.

These people (Ringling) are flagrantly disregarding the animal welfare act.

For the behavior to be documented AGAIN indicates the type of mentality we are dealing with here.

I think possibly these elephants have a superior intelligence. The ignoramus, control freak, probably abused in childhood "trainers" know this. the abuse makes them feel good.

[ILUVLA]

I"LL NEVER GO TO THE CIRCUS AGAIN! THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES! PLEASE BOYCOTT THIS CIRCUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dlarocca]

this really really stinks... only humans can do this type of cruelty... I understand the reason behind it, they have to be the authority figure, if the elephant isn't afraid of you then it could easily crush you... but I just can't except humans beating these elephants like this... what did the elephants do to deserve this? again, it's all due to the root of all evil, money... no money to be made, then these elephants would never be in the circus to begin with...

I am rooting for the elephants to go off on those trainers and thank you PETA for exposing this... I will never attend a circus again (not that I've been to too many anyways)

[TomFox]

I'm not going to watch the video. But, if what is being said is in there, and I trust the posters here as to content; then these chuckleheads should be prosecuted.

[pitman]

Yellow belly cowards - I'd love to have a go with one of those red necks and demonstrate how it is for one to defend himself. This venue needs to be outlawed

[corsair1917]

I can't watch this... I refuse. It will haunt me. I will take your word for it.

Boycott the Circus...sounds strange saying that but until people stop paying, they won't stop doing this.

[bosha]

I'm never going to another Ringling Bros. circus. This is horrible and so sad I have tears in my eyes right now.

[tdh]

Arrest the people who do this. Pass legislation that makes animal cruelty a felony. Start educating people about animals and their intelligence & feelings -- Support groups that stand for animal protection -- including Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine which advocates for animals used in labs/animal testing. Animal cruelty, any kind of cruelty, is disgusting --Support the Humane Society, your local Animal Defense League -- write letters to the local newspaper, to your representatives -- report animal cruelty when you see it. Please.

[fcsakes]

They're still in business because uninformed people think it's a great place to take the kids. I wish PETA would show that video on TV. Or at least on youTube if it isn't there already.

Elephants do have long memories - karma is a bi tch.

[paulalex]

Why do circuses and zoo's exist?

Ah...$

[Moonlighter]

Good work! It is painful to watch this video but you've brought these animals' suffering to light. Keep up the good work to ensure that Ringling Bros. does not backslide after they hold their next press conference blaming their commercialized violence on a "few bad apples."

[ManfromMarble]

Aarrgh! This footage makes me so angry...
It's simply vicious, despicable human behavior and these handlers should be arrested and tried in a court of their peers for animal cruelty. I hope they are and that they rot in jail.

[Bluelynx]

I could not stand to watch this. The idea of abusing an elephant is so revolting.