Feld Entertainment, the company that runs Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, has just been slapped with a $270,000 fine for allegations that they violated federal animal welfare laws—this is the largest fine ever doled out under the Animal Welfare Act. Naturally, PETA, who released video of Ringling elephants being abused back in 2009, is celebrating the news. A spokesperson there said, "The government has taken a first step, and now it must confiscate the elephants. What remains to be done is for the public to be made aware of this history of abuse so that people will know to keep their children away from the circus.” more ›

The Fall TV season has barely gotten going and already we're starting to hear about shows in development for next year. One in particular that caught our eye is a potential ABC nighttime soap called Bazirkus about life at a Ringling Bros.-like circus. And after PBS' awesome circus miniseries Circus, we're so ready for this. But is PETA? more ›

Yesterday, three elephants from the Ringling Bros. circus and three Major League Eaters (because eating is a sport now) faced off in a Nathan's Hot Dog Bun eating contest. And just like last year, Bunny, Susie and Minnie completely schooled the humans. Though you can't say it was a fair fight, since three-time Mustard Belt winner and American hero Joey "Jaws" Chestnut wasn't part of the competition. more ›

Tomorrow at noon PETA will bring their Sad Elephant sculpture to Coney Island in protest of the opening of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus opening there (last year they only brought a few signs). The statue was created by New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss, and its proper name is "Ella PhantzPeril." It depicts a shackled baby elephant and includes the inscription "See Shackles, Bullhooks, Loneliness—All Under the Big Top." It will remain there all summer. more ›

The Ringling Bros. troupe is biting back at PETA, following the animal rights organization's latest attempt to shut them down. Yesterday PETA asked that feds not renew the circus's animal exhibitor license, but rather let it expire on the 28th. But today the Daily News reports that the license was already renewed last week! The circus's spokesman Steve Payne told them, "This is another indication that PETA doesn't know what they are talking about." He went on to address their charges that they abuse their elephants (which they have released video of), by saying, "Our elephants are amazingly treated. They are the stars of the show. We've been inspected by the USDA so far five times this year." PETA says they are contacting the USDA to revoke the permit. more ›

With the self-proclaimed "Greatest Show On Earth" just in town—and even serving as the latest muse on Project Runway—PETA is piping up again about animal treatment at the Ringling Bros. circus. Last year the group released a video showing workers beating on the circus's elephants, and now they're asking the feds 'em down. More specifically, they're asking that their animal exhibitor license, up for renewal on the 28th, not be renewed. more ›

[UPDATE BELOW] Last night the Ringling Bros. walked their elephants through the Queens Midtown Tunnel and all the way to MSG, where the circus will set up shop through April 4th. According to Washington Square News, hundreds of spectators turned out in the pouring rain, thunder and lightening—but the pachyderms kept their fans waiting. They didn't come stomping out of the tunnel until 12:20 a.m., about 20 minutes late. After that, one onlooker described the scene to WSN, saying: "There were just tons of people running down the street after them in this sort of childish glee." more ›

It's that time of year again, the circus is coming to town. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will once again parade their elephants to Madison Square Garden through the Queens/Midtown Tunnel. Since we get so many emails asking when this happens every year, we're here to tell you the magical date of the Elephant Walk this time around is March 22nd. Get your cameras, or your protest signs, ready. more ›

We've been getting some inquiries about when this year's Ringling Bros. Elephant Walk may be (it's usually at the end of March)... but before you get all amped up to see the mammals march through Manhattan, PETA has put a nice, big reminder in the NY Times today. The full page ad shows images of elephants being treated poorly, with the words "an elephant never forgets." It was last summer that the organization released incriminating video of animal abuse at Ringling, so it'll be interesting to see if that effects the turnout for this year's walk. more ›

Since the crystal clear footage of Ringling Bros. workers beating animals isn't going to be brushed under the circus tent anytime soon—and since the Feds are now investigating—the company has released their second statement. In it, they call the PETA footage "deceptively edited," but unless the animal rights organization got their hands on some of George Lucas's CGI experts, that seems a ridiculous accusation. more ›

Following a press conference PETA held yesterday at which time they released footage of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus employees beating animals, the feds have now said they will investigate the matter. The Daily News reports they will try to find out if the circus has violated the Animal Welfare Act. With crystal clear footage of trainers beating on animals, one even punching an elephant in the face, you would think this investigation would be a short one. In response to all the unwanted attention, a spokesman for the circus sent us along this canned comment packed full of denial:

It is no surprise that PETA would once again release misinformation about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Ringling Bros. believes that the recent video produced and distributed by PETA is questionable in its context regarding the portrayal of the animal handlers at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Ringling Bros. is a fully licensed traveling exhibitor and from January through June of this year, the alleged time covered in the video, this particular Unit was found to be in compliance with federal, state and local regulations. more ›

It's unsurprising that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has been called out in the past for abusing their animals, but it's another thing to see it all on tape. PETA went undercover this year and captured Ringling workers on video beating and whipping elephants. The organization announced their findings today at a press conference (NY1 has footage), calling upon Madison Square Garden to ban the circus, or at least the use of animals in their show. more ›

The holiday weekend has all but started, which means the countdown is on to the 94th Annual Nathans Hot Dog Eating Contest. Tens of thousands will be watching Takeru Kobayashi and reigning champ Joey Chestnut shove the sticks of mechanically recovered meat down their throats. The current record stands at 66 hot dogs, and analysts have posted odds on the contest, in case you're, like, betting on this or something.

Odds for the Winner of the 94th Nathans Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest more ›

Last night, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus opened its new one-ring circus in Coney Island. Mayor Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz were on hand to welcome the show, The Coney Island Boom-A-Ring—Mayor Mike even checked out the Monster Trucks. more ›

The Ringling Bros. brought their circus through Manhattan last night, as they headed to Madison Square Garden to set up shop through April 13th. While many were on hand to see the elephants walk through the city, others showed up in full force to protest the circus and their acts of cruelty towards the animals. If you're in the latter group, today you can attend "The Greatest Showdown on Earth: New York League of Humane Voters vs. Ringling Bros. Circus," which is an exciting name for a press conference being held outside of MSG at noon. more ›

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." more ›

In anticipation of tonight's Elephant Walk and Ringling Bros.' Madison Square Garden stay until April 6, a number of animal advocates held a rally outside MSG today to support City Council Introd. 389, which would prohibit "the display of wild or exotic animals for public entertainment or amusement." more ›