I have NEVER supported Circus's because of a strong belief that animals should not be carted around in 18 wheelers and forced to perform for our enjoyment... I found this letter on The Bay Net and wanted to share.
Dear Commissioner,
I am writing to inform you of the many US Dept. of Agriculture citations for animal abuse and neglect against the Cole Brothers Circus, which will be arriving at our beautiful St. Mary’s fairgrounds early next week. The list below includes citations dating back to 2004, including incidents in which members of the public were injured or killed. As of 2008, Cole Bros. Circus doesn’t even have its own USDA license, and must lease its animal acts from other circuses. Most recently, in February of this year, the owner of Cole Bros. Circus pled guilty to violating the Endangered Species Act.
I am a science teacher at Leonardtown High School, and also the SMECO Science Teacher of the Year of 2008. As a science teacher, I feel that it is my responsibility to educate my students to respect and care for all living things. I am saddened each spring by the arrival of the Cole Bros. Circus in Leonardtown, and the sight of the elephants walking in circles as I leave LHS each afternoon.
Many cities and large corporations have stopped supporting circuses because of these abuses and the safety hazards to unsuspecting families that visit.
I urge you to be a voice for the animals of the circus, who cannot speak up for themselves. Please don’t support Cole Brothers Circus in St. Mary’s County.
Sincerely,
Emily Sunderland
The Baynet | Print Page | READER LETTER: Cole Bros Circus Boycott
Dear Commissioner,
I am writing to inform you of the many US Dept. of Agriculture citations for animal abuse and neglect against the Cole Brothers Circus, which will be arriving at our beautiful St. Mary’s fairgrounds early next week. The list below includes citations dating back to 2004, including incidents in which members of the public were injured or killed. As of 2008, Cole Bros. Circus doesn’t even have its own USDA license, and must lease its animal acts from other circuses. Most recently, in February of this year, the owner of Cole Bros. Circus pled guilty to violating the Endangered Species Act.
I am a science teacher at Leonardtown High School, and also the SMECO Science Teacher of the Year of 2008. As a science teacher, I feel that it is my responsibility to educate my students to respect and care for all living things. I am saddened each spring by the arrival of the Cole Bros. Circus in Leonardtown, and the sight of the elephants walking in circles as I leave LHS each afternoon.
Many cities and large corporations have stopped supporting circuses because of these abuses and the safety hazards to unsuspecting families that visit.
I urge you to be a voice for the animals of the circus, who cannot speak up for themselves. Please don’t support Cole Brothers Circus in St. Mary’s County.
Sincerely,
Emily Sunderland
The Baynet | Print Page | READER LETTER: Cole Bros Circus Boycott