Circus elephants in the legal spotlight

Ringling settled earlier case
Strictly speaking, that is correct. Over dozens of routine inspections and investigations in the last 15 years, APHIS has never cited either organization for a "violation."

But according to its records, APHIS has issued at least 10 citations or warnings since 1998 for what it calls "noncompliance," several of them alleging inadequate veterinary care.

In 1998, the circus and the USDA settled federal allegations in the death of Kenny, a 3½-year-old Asian elephant.

Kenny died of a gastrointestinal illness in January of that year after he performed his third show of the day in Jacksonville, Fla. The plaintiffs cited an internal USDA report that allegedly found that "orders from the attending veterinarian to leave Kenny in his stall during the 3rd performance on the day he died were not followed by the trainers."

As part of the settlement, Ringling Bros. donated $20,000 to elephant-related causes, while the USDA issued a letter saying, "Ringling Bros. has never been adjudged to have violated the AWA or the Regulations and Standards issued thereunder."

That letter, Ringling Bros. said, "reinforces the company's consistent position that it is dedicated to meeting or exceeding federal care standards for all its animals."

Circus’ elephant show on the hook
The current lawsuit asks the judge to order the circus to provide greater protection for the elephants, as prescribed by the Endangered Species Act.

Eric Glitzenstein, an attorney representing the ASPCA, said in an interview with Morales that he doesn't want to shut down Ringling Bros. Instead, he said, he simply wants "to make sure that something is done to improve the lives of these animals."

The ASPCA "took a look at the evidence and concluded that the evidence was overwhelming that these animals, in fact, are suffering from conditions that they shouldn't be," Glitzenstein said.

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