AR-News: (CA) Activists To Protest Wild Animal Circus in Livermore

[christine at eastbayanimaladvocates.org]

Activists To Protest Wild Animal Circus At Robertson Stadium

Thursday, April 29, 2004
The Independent (www.independentnews.com)

Letters to the Editor: editmail at compuserve.com

Livermore, CA--Protesters will greet the Circus Gatti when it comes to Robertson Rodeo Stadium May 5 for two
shows. 

East Bay Animal Advocates has sent out a call for interested people to show up one hour before the two shows,
which begin at 4:15 and 6:30 p.m. at the rodeo stadium. The protest will be in the parking lot in front of the
stadium. 

Livermore resident Mary Beth Binder is organizing the protest, as she did at an appearance of the circus last
year, when about 600 people attended the two shows. The demonstration in 2003 led to the formation of the
animal advocates group.

Binder said there are a few Livermore members. The remainder are from various East Bay cities. The group
focuses on trying to discourage wild animal acts in communities. Binder said there are two concerns. One is for
the safety of the public. Since wild animals are not domestic, an elephant or tiger could suddenly depart from
tame behavior and hurt someone, she said. 

Also, wild animals are sometimes tamed in what Binder considers to be abusive ways, she said. Binder referred
to web sites maintained by two animal rights groups that cited alleged violations by Circus Gatti.

In March, 2002, the USDA cited Circus Gatti for failure to provide a USDA official with access to animals,
records, and property for the purpose of conducting an animal welfare inspection, said the API. 

The most recent incident, listed on a web page of the Animal Protection Institute (API), was May 2002. Citing a
Sacramento police report as its source, the web page says, that a tiger refused to leave its cage after a
performance. It prompted evacuation of spectators from the arena, and drew Sacramento police to the scene.
Eventually the animal was tranquilized. 

A representative of Circus Gatti, which is based in southern California, was unavailable for comment before the
Independent’s deadline. 

Livermore Area Recreation and Park District operates Robertson Park Stadium. LARPD staff members said that
Circus Gatti has all the proper permits for the appearance May 5. Since there is no exception in its policy for
wild animal acts, LARPD must grant the permit. 

Dale Turner, a member of the LARPD board of directors, said that the board is aware of “the concerns of the one
protester. However, the Circus Gatti, to receive a permit, had to have current licenses with Fish and Game on
file with the state, and must have a current health certificate. They’ve accomplished all of that.” Turner said
that “we know her (Binder’s) concern is the inhuman treatment of circus animals, but there is nothing to
document it.” 

After last year’s protest, Binder appeared before the city council in October to ask for an ordinance outlawing
wild animal acts in Livermore. No council member moved to have it put on the agenda, although Binder later
returned to try the council to try to draw interested. Binder said the group has given up on Livermore
politicians, and is discussing placing an initiative locally to ban wild animal acts. 

She said that a grassroots effort in Denver, led by a high school student, qualified for the ballot. It will be
voted on in August. 

For more information: www.eastbayanimaladvocates.org