FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, March 16, 1998
CONTACT:
Christine Wolf, 301-585-2591, cwolf@fund.org
Michael Markarian, 301-585-2591, mmarkarian@fund.org
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- On Tuesday, March 17, at 1:00 p.m., in Room 120 of the Lowes House Office Building, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on House Bill 1031, the bill introduced by Delegate John Morgan (R-Howard/Prince George's) to ban the use of live elephants at circuses and fairs in Maryland. Members of The Fund for Animals and other Maryland citizens concerned about public safety and animal welfare will testify in support of House Bill 1031.
Since 1990, captive elephants have killed at least 36 people and injured more than 100. These include two incidents in Texas last summer when a circus elephant broke the arm and shoulder of a 65-year-old man and when another elephant crushed her handler to death; an incident in Wyoming in 1996 when an elephant used for giving children "elephant rides" suddenly knocked down and repeatedly kicked the trainer; and an incident in New York in 1995 when two circus elephants went on a rampage, triggering a panic among hundreds of spectators that left 12 people injured.
Says Christine Wolf, Director of Government Affairs for The Fund for Animals, "The Maryland legislature has the opportunity to prevent our state from hosting these disastrous incidents, and the resulting deaths, injuries and lawsuits. I would be more than proud to be the citizen of a state that took a stand against the horrendous abuse and imminent public safety threat that comes to town along with circuses and sideshows." Ms. Wolf will show a video of elephant abuse at the hearing.
Most circus elephants are kept chained by two or more legs for 95% of their lives, and unchained only to perform and walk to and from the arena. Dozens have died over the last few years from injuries and from diseases such as tuberculosis. Last month, a 3-year-old elephant named Kenny collapsed and died in the Ringling Bros. circus, soon after the audience applauded his performance.
Physical punishment has long been the norm for animals forced to perform in circuses. In his book Circus Kings, Henry Ringling North of the Ringling Bros. family writes that "all sorts of brutalities are used to force (animals) to respect their trainer and learn their tricks. They work from fear."
Numerous communities in the U.S. -- including Takoma Park (Md.), Hollywood and Lauderdale Lakes (Fla.), Collinsville (Ill.), and Quincy and Revere (Mass.) -- have banned elephant acts.