Has PETA gone too far? Word is that last week the animal rights activists showed up unannounced and uninvited at a Hempstead elementary school, chosen for its proximity to the Nassau Coliseum, where Ringling Bros. Circus sets up shop starting tomorrow. Their plan was to school the children in circus cruelty, handing out stickers and coloring books that declared, "Circuses are no fun for animals." While this may be true, many are criticizing the organization for their tactics, saying their method is inappropriate—a psychologist noted that the children "might go home and be very anxious" because they "are less mature in their cognitive process."
One PETA member was dressed as an elephant with its arm in a sling, handing out the coloring book that included a cartoon that read: "Elephants are trained or punished with sharp pointed hooks or whips. These giant creatures have sensitive skin and feel great pain from this treatment." What's next, telling them that Santa's reindeer are being mistreated? However, at least one 9-year-old girl decided she would "not want to see any animal beaten for not doing the right thing."
Meanwhile, Ringling Bros. reps maintain that their animals are "healthy and well cared for by a team of full-time veterinarians and an animal care staff that works to ensure that the animals have an enriching and safe environment." Read president of the HSUS's blog addressing a recent lawsuit with charges made against Ringling for their routine handling practices of elephants that include the use of bullhooks, chaining, and confinement that violates the Endangered Species Act.
