USDA Seizes Circus Elephants

[herbi]

Wow! A first!

USDA Seizes Circus Elephants (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2956-2004Mar17.html)
Decree Under Animal Welfare Act Settles Charges of Improper Care (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2956-2004Mar17.html)

from the longer Washington Post article:
For the first time since elephants began entertaining people at American circuses more than 200 years ago, the federal government has removed a herd of circus animals from an owner accused of mistreating and mishandling his animals.

Under a consent decree that took effect this week between the U.S. Agriculture Department and John F. Cuneo Jr. and his Hawthorn Corp., 16 circus elephants will be removed from its Illinois facilities by August and sent to other homes. The company also agreed to pay a $200,000 fine.

[mountainvegan]

Washington – Just as PETA was scheduled to testify against the Hawthorn Corporation and its president, John Cuneo, in a federal Administrative Court, Cuneo admitted guilt in 19 violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act to settle the charges. Cuneo has been ordered to relinquish custody of 16 elephants to USDA-approved facilities, as well as pay a $200,000 fine, according to a March 12, 2004, consent decision. In April 2003, the USDA filed charges against Hawthorn that included using physical abuse to train, handle, and work an elephant; causing physical harm and discomfort; failing to provide veterinary care to an emaciated elephant, an elephant suffering from severe chemical burns and a bacterial infection, and several elephants with potentially deadly foot problems; and unsafe public contact. PETA had provided evidence to the USDA that was to be used in the court proceedings and has fought Cuneo’s abusive practices for more than a decade.

Full story:

http://www.peta.org/news/NewsItem.asp?id=4072

I just wish Hawthorn could be put out of business by these violations, as it should be. Cuneo should go to jail for a long time, but unfortunately, you still only get a gentle hand slap for such things in our little barbaria called the USA.

[herbi]

yeah, I posted this story in the Animals Forum (http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3380) ... but for some reason my Magic Power of Thread-Merging isn't working? :confused:

[Dandelion]

*bling*
Originally posted by herbi
yeah, I posted this story in the Animals Forum (http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3380) ... but for some reason my Magic Power of Thread-Merging isn't working? :confused:

oh and YAY for the Elephants!
:banana:
*needs a dancing peanut*
;)

[mountainvegan]

Originally posted by herbi
yeah, I posted this story in the Animals Forum (http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3380) ... but for some reason my Magic Power of Thread-Merging isn't working? :confused:

Oops. Missed it. :)