- WASHINGTON (AP) -- The largest
US circus will have to defend itself against charges that it mistreats
elephants that perform under the big tent.
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- A federal judge has declined to dismiss a lawsuit by
animal welfare groups claiming Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus
has abused Asian elephants in violation of the Endangered Species Act.
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- The groups claim circus employees routinely beat the
elephants with sharp bull hooks, keep elephants in chains for long periods
of time and forcibly remove baby elephants from their mothers before they
are properly weaned.
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- The suit was filed in 2000 by the American Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Animal Welfare Institute, The
Fund for Animals and Tom Rider, a former Ringling Bros elephant trainer.
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- In his decision yesterday, US District Judge Emmet Sullivan
said the case in Washington can go forward because Asian elephants are
considered an endangered species under federal law. He did rule on the
substantive charges.
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- A lawyer for Ringling Bros declined to comment today
and referred questions to the company, which did not immediately respond.
The company, part of Feld Entertainment, Inc, repeatedly has claimed it
is a responsible animal care provider that is being targeted by animal
rights groups for political reasons.
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- Animal welfare advocates said the decision will finally
allow them to present evidence that circus life is not fun and games for
the animals performing.
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- Copyright 2003 News Limited.
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- http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6845811%255E1702,00.html
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