Quit complaining about elephants, we have bigger issues to deal with right now.

actually it is all connected. lack of education and compassion is the roots of many of our problems. Not asking you to do anything. Just don't support such cruelty by funding Ringling Brothers. boycott them. that's all.

Unless we all kill each other first, the cruelty will stop in about 1.1 billion years, when the sun will super-heat the earth, boiling our oceans away and destroying all life on Earth.

Bolivia bans use of animals in circuses Young pro is incorrect and I won't respond to him since it will only encourage him to continue stalking me on this site.

.The Bill belong is DEAD even though it had majority sponsor but QUINN refused the bill to be heard and the bill expired (died) when the new term began (jan 1st 2010). Quinn is a real C*nt.

THE BILL INTRO 389 WHICH WOULD BAN THE USE OF WILD ANIMALS IN THE CIRCUSES HAS THE MAJORITY BUT QUINN WON'T LET IT BE HEARED

http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Int%200389-2006.htm?CFID=11561&CFTOKEN=81911561

Check if your council member supports the bill and if not then please call them to sponsor the bill

http://www.nylhv.org/

Summary of Testimony From Former Ringling Employees Archele Hundley, Garrison Christianson, and Robert Tom

Archele Hundley is a mother of five who lives in West Virginia. Ms. Hundley worked on the animal crew of Ringling’s red unit from April through June 2006. She cared primarily for the horses and miniature horses. She quit the circus because the daily animal abuse was too upsetting and her complaints to management were ignored. She witnessed Ringling handlers hit, punch, beat, and whip elephants and horses. She saw a miniature horse get punched in the face at least two times with such force that it would have knocked a full-grown man to the ground. She saw a horse stabbed with a pitchfork. In Tulsa, Okla., Ms. Hundley saw the head trainer beat an elephant for 30 to 45 minutes, causing the elephant to bleed profusely from numerous wounds.

Garrison Christianson worked on the animal crew of Ringling’s red unit for seven months and provided care to the llamas, cows, goats, and ponies. He was discharged from the circus and believes that his threat to report the animal abuse to authorities outside Ringling made management look for excuses to fire him. He was never written up for anything related to animal care during his employment. Mr. Christianson witnessed the head elephant trainer beat a chained elephant in Tulsa, Okla. In Oklahoma City, he witnessed the beating of a horse with the metal end of a lead and later found slash marks under the horse’s chin and on his neck. Mr. Christianson was warned to stay away from some elephants because they were very dangerous and unpredictable. Nothing was ever done about his complaints to the general manager, the head elephant trainer, and another manager about animal abuse. The vet tech told Mr. Christianson that circus management knows in advance every time the USDA is coming to inspect. Mr. Christianson states that the only time the animals are unloaded from the boxcars during travel is on longer three- to four-day trips and that—despite foul odors that are strong enough to burn the animals’ eyes and noses—the boxcars are not hosed during these stops.

Robert Tom lives in Kentucky with his wife, Margaret. Both worked for Ringling for nearly two years. Mr. Tom cared for the horses, goats, zebras, camels, and cows, and his wife worked backstage with props. He believes that he and his wife were fired because of his complaints about the animal abuse. Mr. Tom was never reprimanded until he complained about the abuse. He saw handlers, including the head elephant trainer, aggressively hooking elephants daily for no reason other than to keep them afraid. He says that handlers frequently punctured the elephants’ skin with bullhooks and that the circus kept a bag of topsoil in the elephant area to cover bullhook injuries. Handlers would grab a handful of the dirt and rub it into the wound to hide it. Mr. Tom witnessed violent beatings of both elephants and horses. He observed the Tulsa, Okla., bullhook beating of an elephant that lasted 30 minutes. Mr. Tom said that the elephants spend approximately 90 to 95 percent of their time chained and that just about the only time that they are not chained is when the public is around.

This is so so so sad, I read most of it to my daughter. I want her to be aware of this cruelty early in her life. When will this stop? This is so so sad...

archele hundley is a convicted felon and was tried for perjury. yea, i believe EVERYTHING she says.

it would stop if only there were more parents and teachers that taught children about compassion.

http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=450705&GUID=9BDC514D-2F2F-4F10-8D79-A3ABF209077A&Options=ID%7cText%7c&Search=389

27 city council members sponsor this bill that died at end of session because Quinn refused the bill to be hear and Joel Rivera (bitch) received money from Ringling Brothers. The Rivera family are ignorant bunch of A-holes.

Elephants walking in the city are always fun for everyone.

Especially when they leave huge dumps on the ground.

Sincerely, Forever scarred by a Ringling Bros. Circus Elephant heaving his waste upon the stage floor when I was 8.

Atarigirl, yes they do leave the same way. There will be protesters with banners as last year. They stood near the footlocker store. I'll post the exact spot when I arrive home. Thanks to you and your little girl.

Re Felixthecat why not start your own blog. You clearly dedicate a lot of time commenting here. Your powers might be useful elsewhere

I hope this isnt a stupid question but when the Circus is over do the Elephants leave again walking thru the midtown tunnel?

34th and 7th ave is usually the spot where they hold the protest.

What do you mean? They get a new batch of elephants each time -- after the circus, the old elephants are turned into elephant stew, and served at the classiest joints in town: Per Se, Jeans-George, Billymark's West -- that sort of place.

(By the way, what's red and white on the outside, and grey on the inside?)

My daughter and I will be there to protest. She is 10 but is very against this cruelty. I just dont know where to stand, any suggestions?

You should stand on the side that's actually worth standing for.

actually it's the midtown tunnel not the lincoln. and it's one of the most surreal moments to watch them go through the toll booth into the tunnel, esp when it's snowing.