Dear Judge Yarbrough and Commissioners:

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is a nonprofit organization with more than 1 million members and supporters dedicated to animal protection. In consideration of the documented elephant abuse that takes place at the Carson & Barnes Circus, which is scheduled to perform in San Leon on November 3, we are writing to ask the county to enact legislation that would ban bullhooks, electric prods, and other devices that inflict pain on or cause injury to elephants. Similar legislation is pending in Chicago. May I please meet with you to discuss this issue?

The enclosed video footage (not provided to Guidry News Service) shows Tim Frisco, Carson & Barnes’ animal care director, viciously attacking terrified elephants with metal bullhooks and electric prods. Frisco instructs other trainers to hurt the elephants until they scream and to sink a sharp metal bullhook into their flesh and twist it. Frisco also cautions that the beatings must be concealed from the public. A U.S. District Court judge described this video as “troubling” and noted that it depicts conduct that violates the Animal Welfare Act. Carson & Barnes paid a $400 fine for mishandling elephants.

The use of bullhooks results in pain, suffering, and trauma including lacerations, puncture wounds, swelling, and abscesses. Although elephants’ skin appears tough, it is actually so sensitive that elephants can feel the pain of an insect bite. Trainers embed the sharp hooks into the elephants’ skin and soft tissue areas. Bullhook abuse is routine at circuses and other facilities that continue to use this barbaric instrument, but penalties are rare. Elephants will not be afforded more humane care until communities prohibit these cruel devices.

An elephant’s ability to feel pain—as well as sorrow, joy, and happiness—rivals our own. In circuses, every instinct is subject to discipline. Elephants who reach for a blade of grass, try to comfort a friend, or extend their trunks to smell something new suffer a painful blow from a bullhook. A fumbled trick during the show results in a beating. Elephants in circuses live a sad life of punishment and confinement.

We hope you agree that the abuse of animals in circuses is unacceptable and that you’ll make next weekend’s Carson & Barnes performances the last time that elephants will have to endure the bite of a bullhook in Galveston County. You can contact me at 206-367-0228 or via e-mail at LisaW@peta.org. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Lisa Wathne
Captive Exotic Animal Specialist

Editors note: A similar letter was sent to Mayor Tom Reid and Pearland City Council, protesting the circus' scheduled performance in Pearland on November 4.