Dear Editor,
I was disappointed to learn that the C&M circus will be in Green River on July 1. Culpepper and Merriweather Circus, operated by Eugene “Trey” Key III and Key Equipment Inc, was cited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for failure to provide shelter to animals from the elements, proper veterinary care, nutrition, and handling. In addition, USDA had confiscated an underweight tiger cub from the circus. And its license was suspended for six months by an administrative law judge. The link to all the violations is listed at the bottom of the article. Despite its past federal Animal Welfare Act violations, the circus still uses tigers and lions for the shows. Please do not fund this animal abusing business when it arrives in Green River.
According to the C&M website, the circus performs two 90 mins shows seven days a week across 17 states a season. Wild animals in these types of traveling circuses are often cramped in tiny cages where they are forced to stand and lie in their waste while traveling long distances over thousands of miles across the country. The transport vehicle may or may not have heat or air-conditioning. These animals only get out during the performances and are locked back in their cages to be loaded up to travel to the next town.
In the wild, tigers do not jump through hoops, elephants do not walk on two legs, or bears do not ride bicycles. Unlike human performers, who choose to participate in the circus, these animals are forced to perform unnatural, frightening, and often painful tricks. Trainers often claim that only “positive reinforcement” is used in training these wild animals. This type of “positive” interaction with the animals is often purposely displayed during the performance in the ring or on carefully supervised public tours.
In reality, physical and psychological violence and withholding food and water are standard industry methods to force these animals to comply. Federal Animal Welfare Act allows the use of bullhooks, whips, electrical shock prods, or other painful devices during training sessions. Unfortunately, these training sessions are not in public view and are not monitored by the authorities. The animals are forced to perform in fear of pain, injury, and punishment. These circuses teach children that it’s acceptable to exploit and abuse animals for amusement.
In traveling circuses, wild animals live miserably in solitary confinement without engagement in their instinctual behavior. Big crowds, bright flashing lights, and loud noises are unnatural to them. Frustrated, confused, and stressed with confinement and fear of punishment often cause some animals to lash out. In the past, animals have escaped from the circus premises, running into buildings throughout the town, attacking people, and injuring and killing trainers. Bringing these dangerous and frustrated wild animals into close proximity to people poses a serious public safety threat. The risks are amplified because children are the target audience in these events.
On June 5, 2008, 2 elephants preparing to perform in the C&M (Culpepper and Merriweather) circus in Wakeeney, Kansas, got spooked by sounds of strong wind and tornado sirens, escaped, and ran through the town for 3 hrs before being recaptured and loaded into trucks.
A white Bengal tiger named Jupiter, owned by Ron and Joy Holiday’s Cat Dancers, killed his trainer and, five weeks later, killed the owner by biting her in the neck while she hand-fed him. (November 13, 1998, Gainesville, Florida)
400-lb tiger with Frazen Bros Circus killed his trainer by pouncing on him and dragging him around the ring by his neck in front of 200 kids. (May 7, 1997, Carrollton, PA)
Growing awareness of animal abuse and public safety concerns has made more than 150 municipalities and six states across the United States prohibit or restrict wild animals’ use in traveling circuses. Please do not attend C&M (Culpepper and Merriweather) circus in Green River when it comes to town; instead, speak up against this animal-exploiting business. Contact the circus at 580-326-8833 and politely ask them to stop using wild animals in their shows and send all the wild animals to wildlife rescue sanctuaries.
Madhu Anderson
Rock Springs
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