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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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PETA Releases Video of Circus Elephant Abuse

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(Newser) – PETA has released video it says shows cruelty to circus elephants, the Orange County Register reports. The tape shows Ringling Bros. handlers swatting elephants with “bull hooks,” and one pachyderm exhibiting signs of “severe psychological distress.” “This video again shows what we have been saying for years,” PETA charges. “These animals are routinely abused to perform in ways that they don’t naturally perform.”

“The question I ask moms coming to the circus is, ‘Would you want your children treated like these elephants are?’” said a protester outside a Ringling show in Southern California. The circus denies any wrongdoing. “It is no surprise that PETA would once again release misinformation,” it says in a statement. “We encourage people to come see for themselves that the animals are thriving in our care.”

The PETA video shows a trainer, bottom left, hitting an elephant in the face with a rod, backstage at the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus.
The PETA video shows a trainer, bottom left, hitting an elephant in the face with a rod, backstage at the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus.   (AP Photo)
Susie, 46, a Ringling Bros. Asian elephant.
Susie, 46, a Ringling Bros. Asian elephant.   (AP Photo)
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The PETA video. Contains language and some violence.   (officialpeta)

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16 comments
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justme
Jul 24, 09 1:45 PM CDT
Ever seen an elephant up close? Their hides are very thick and tough. Those "strikes" are for direction and control. They certainly cause little or no pain. Reply
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-2
IN RESPONSE:
BlahBlahBlah
Jul 26, 09 2:40 PM CDT
Cool, tell ya what come and look me up so I can beat the crap out of you. Can I use a bullhook? Did you not see and hear the parts where the Elephants obviously where in pain? You make me sick. Oh, I hate personally think Peta is full of it more often then not. However, when one is made to look at horrible things like this you have to be devoid of a F!@KING sole not to hurt for those animals. Do the world a favor and keep your simple minded a#$ off the comments page.
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+2
PosterNutbag
Jul 24, 09 1:46 PM CDT
Humans need to mellow out and learn how simply live in partnership with nature rather than always trying to dominate the earth, the animals, and eachother. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." I want to know when does this offer expire? Because clearly we can't handle this much responsibility, seeing as how the earth is becoming less inhabitable by the minute. God, I would like to exchange this dominion for reverent cooperation with all living things, please, thank you. Reply
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
anchower
Jul 24, 09 3:46 PM CDT
Well said.
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+2
Doctor_Zaius
Jul 24, 09 1:51 PM CDT
Elephant skin leather armor was prized in China as being harder than steel. Reply
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+1

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