AR-News: Circus may generate protests

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      http://www.berkshireeagle.com/Stories/0,1413,101~7514~2236450,00.html

      Circus may generate protests 

      By Carrie Saldo 
      North Adams Transcript 

      LANESBORO -- The Cole Bros. Circus is coming to the Berkshire Mall this weekend, and with it could come animal rights protesters angry about the troupe's use of animals in its shows. 

      Earlier this week, during a WNAW radio interview with a Lions Club member, a caller announced she would be protesting the circus. She said that the use of animals in the show was cruel and unnecessary. 

      The circus is sponsored by the Dalton Lions Club. 

      Protesters gathered at a Cole Bros. show last weekend at Thomas J. Dodd Stadium in Norwich, Conn. "Stop animal abuse," read one sign carried by demonstrators. 

      Any circus protesters that show up at this weekend's three-ring show would not be a surprise to Cole Bros. marketing director Mario Vitali. 

      "They'll be there, it's fine," he said earlier this week. "But they won't be allowed to come on mall property." Protests against the Cole Bros. Circus have remained peaceful, said Vitali. 

      From March to November, Cole Bros. puts on at least two shows daily with a cast and crew of about 140 people. 

      This is the first year the show has gone on without elephants. Vitali said the animals were expensive to keep. 

      In 2000, the circus, formerly the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus, settled U.S. Department of Agriculture charges of elephant abuse for $10,000 out of court. The department agreed to suspend the fine so long as the money was used for an elephant consultant for the circus. 

      According to the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals Web site, Cole Bros. elephants had been abused by circus handlers. Also, in five separate incidents, the animals also killed two members of the public, injured a dozen others, and rampaged during performances. 

      Vitali referred questions about the treatment of animals to the Cole Bros. Florida home office. No one there could be reached for comment. 

      While this weekend's shows won't include elephants, a variety of other animals will be used during the performances. 

      Vitali said the shows, slated to be held today at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow at 1:30 and 4:30 p. m. in the Berkshire Mall parking lot, will feature performances with tigers, horses, dogs cats, and ponies. In addition, there will be high-wire acts, the human cannonball, a woman performing a triple-somersault, and more. 

      The Cole Bros. Circus was established in 1884, and it claims to be the world's largest circus under a big top. 
     
     





the wild, cruel beast is not behind the bars of the cage. he is in front of it - axel munthe

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Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."      Margaret Mead
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