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 ›

For years there have been rally cries from animal rights protesters whenever the circus comes to town, specifically, whenever the elephants are trotted down the street in anticipation of their run at Madison Square Garden. Well now the NY Times reports that for the first time in 80 years, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus will not be coming to Manhattan for their annual springtime shows... in fact, they won't even be coming to any of the five boroughs. Instead the circus will be banished to New Jersey, where they'll extend their run at the Meadowlands. 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 ›

The circus is coming to town, and with it comes the elephants. The annual Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Elephant Walk is this coming Monday, March 22nd, from 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. The elephants, and some of their human coworkers, will walk through the Queens Midtown Tunnel to Madison Square Garden. What to expect: six Asian elephants, eight ponies, three stilt walkers, a watusi, and animal trainers. And of course: protesters. more ›

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus—who will be at MSG later this month—are returning to the beach this summer. According to the Daily News, they'll be setting up shop at Coney Island again, and pitching tents on the same West 21st Street lot as last year. 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 ›

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 ›