Today – Demonstration Against Circus With USDA-Documented Animal Cruelty

Circus Vazquez Atlanta Shows Draw Fire from Animal Advocates

Atlanta, Georgia—A controversial circus with animal acts under multiple federal investigations is in temporary residence at Plaza Fiesta, 4166 Buford Hwy, in Atlanta. In Defense of Animals (IDA) and members of Georgia Animal Rights and Protection (GARP) will be protesting at performances this weekend and distributing materials to educate the circus-going public about this circus' long history of animal abuse and neglect.

What: Protests and leafleting against Circus Vazquez elephant, tiger and other animal acts
Where: Plaza Fiesta, 4166 Buford Hwy, Atlanta
When: Friday, Sept. 5 from 7:30 to 9:00 PM,
Saturday, Sept. 6 from 7:30 to 9:00 PM, and
Sunday, Sept. 7 from 3:30 to 5:00 PM.

"The citizens of Atlanta should not be party to the cruel and negligent treatment of animals in Circus Vazquez," said Elliot Katz, DVM, president of IDA. "We urge people to boycott the circus due to both public safety and animal welfare concerns."

Among the circus' animal welfare transgressions:

  • Fatal mauling of tiger by her cage mates on March 31 in California, after Circus Vazquez crammed six tigers together and left them in a small cage unattended overnight. The tiger was torn apart and nearly decapitated in the incident.
  • Inhumane handling, abusive use of the bullhook (a device resembling a fireplace poker used to hit, stab and hook elephants to make them obey and perform) and failure to provide adequate veterinary care. Elephant handler repeatedly cited for violating federal Animal Welfare Act;
  • Illegal purchase of two highly endangered Asian elephants in violation of the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Elephant handler is facing possible criminal charges;
  • Illegal smuggling of an elephant into Mexico in 2000 by Circus Vazquez. The circus' owner was convicted in Mexico, and the elephant confiscated.
  • Rampage of two elephants traveling with the circus through a church in 2001, causing an estimated $75,000 in damages.

In April, the City of Los Angeles ordered elephant handler Will Davenport out of the city because of his record of animal cruelty in the handling of the three elephants, Tina Jewel and Queenie, who are appearing in Atlanta. Two of the elephants were ordered off the road last year after suffering from severe weight loss, and ongoing questions about the elephants' health remain. Atlanta activists have observed Vazquez's animals with no access to food, water or shelter from rain, and have expressed concern about public safety issues. For more information see www.helpelephants.com.