Tempers Flare As Animal Activists Protest Circus

Carrying signs and distributing literature that described what some consider the horrors suffered by circus animals, protestors outside the Cole Bros. Circus tent in Greenport sparked controversy on Wednesday.

The small group of animal advocates, representing the Long Island Orchestrating for Nature (LION) animal rights group, turned out at the Polo Grounds in Greenport to protest the conditions under which animals are allegedly kept in the circus.

The group has been protesting at each of the  Cole Bros. Circus' scheduled dates, including performances held at the Shinnecock Indian Nation in Southampton earlier this week. 

According to John  Di Leondardo, president of the group, Cole Bros. Circus is currently on United States Department of Agriculture probation for violation of the Endangered Species Act, and their owner and President, John Pugh, is on criminal probation for violation of the Endangered Species Act.

Cole Bros. Circus, he added, has been cited for multiple violations of the USDA Animal Welfare Act, including failure to provide adequate shelter for animals, physical abuse of elephants and other animals, and endangering the public, resulting in multiple deaths, including a New York resident. 

"Not only are circuses cruel, but public safety is a major concern," said Di Leonardo. "It was not long ago that a Cole Bros. tiger escaped, causing a pile-up and multiple hospitalizations.  These animals don't want to be caged.  They'll do anything to get free." 

Di Leonardo said the alleged animal cruelty is difficult to accept. "It hurts," he said. "I'm an anthrozoologist. It breaks my heart to see elephants being tortured."

Added protestor Liz Downey, "I'm here because animals in circuses are entombed alive," she said. The animals, she said, are kept in sections of a tractor trailer, unable to sit, lie down, or turn — and unable to roam the up to 40 miles per day they would in the wild. Two of the baby elephants in the show, protestors added, were torn away from their mother at a too-young age.

"It's a life of torture, for 15 minutes of tricks," she said. "It's horrifying."

Greenport Fire Department retiree George Capon yelled at the protestors, telling them that the circus had rented the property and they were not allowed on the grounds.

Southold Town police chief Martin Flatley said the protestors were within their rights and allowed them to stay.

The circus is brought to town by the Greenport Fire Department.

Other animal rights organizations have protested the circus.

"Elephants with Cole Bros. suffer even when they're not being forced to perform," said Jane Dollinger, senior media liaison for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. "Last year, the USDA ordered Cole Bros. to pay a civil penalty to settle numerous AWA violations for failing to provide adequate veterinary care to two underweight Asian elephants, Tina and Jewel, and for keeping Tina and Jewel in an outdoor enclosure with inadequate shelter from the elements."

And, she added, "Cole Bros. also has an abysmal record of endangering the public."

Representatives from the circus said much of what is alleged is rumor and speculation.

"There is a lot of misinformation concerning Cole Bros. Circus' record concerning animal welfare," said Renee Storey, Vice President, Administration of the Cole Bros. Circus. "Over its more than 128 year history, Cole Bros. Circus has been committed to maintaining high animal welfare standards for animals that appear in conjunction with our show. Cole Bros. Circus has never been found to have violated any animal welfare law. Cole Bros. Circus has never been found to have mistreated elephants."

She added, "The humane and responsible care provided by licensed, professional exhibitors at Cole Bros. Circus ensures the health, welfare and safety of all humans and animals involved in the relationship."