|
Go with animal-free circus |
|
June 1, 2017 |
If the Bonners Ferry Rotary Club wants folks to
support its circus, it would be wise to partner
with one of the many successful animal-free
circuses out there, not Culpepper & Merriweather,
which has a voluminous record of violating the
Animal Welfare Act and endangering the public
(“Two circuses coming, only one giving back to
community,” 5/31).
Culpepper & Merriweather even had its license to
exhibit animals suspended—a rare action taken
only for the most serious of violations—after an
administrative law judge determined that it had
“demonstrated a shockingly cavalier attitude”
toward animal health and safety.
Numerous animals have also reportedly died
prematurely on Culpepper & Merriweather’s watch,
including multiple elephants and tiger cubs. An
underweight, wounded tiger cub was also
confiscated from the circus by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) when the agency
found that the conditions he was held in—a tiny,
filthy, hot container—fell below the minimum
requirements of the law.
The circus has also been cited by the USDA for
failing to securely confine dangerous wild
animals, including tigers and a lion, and,
according to reports, animals under their care
and supervision have in the past escaped,
endangering the public.
Anyone who cares about animals—or just their
family’s health and safety—should stay away from
the fairgrounds while Culpepper & Merriweather
is on site. |
Delcianna J. Winders
Animal Law & Policy Fellow
Harvard Law School |
|
Publisher's Note: The above has been
submitted as a letter to the editor by its
author, Ms. Winders. The opinions expressed in
this letter are solely those of the author, and
do not reflect the opinions or policies of
NewsBF or of Boundary County Live, LLC., or of
any of the owners or employees of Boundary
County Live, or contractors affiliated with it. |
|
Questions or comments about this
letter?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
