Here’s an update on a recent issue I commented on in weeks past: the Washington County Humane Society will be staging an anti-circus educational demonstration when the Royal Hanneford Circus rolls into town.
Participants are invited to meet demonstrators in front of Freedom Hall (near the flag poles) at the following times: Saturday, Oct. 19, at 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 20, at noon and 4:30 p.m.
Why should the Royal Hanneford Circus be chased outta town? Well according to the Washington Humane Society’s web site and www.circuses.com there are several reasons.
Besides numerous citations from the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) for failure to adequate veterinary care, housing space, nutrition, caging and proper hygienic conditions for the animals, take a gander at a few choice incidents:
(1) On Feb. 11, 1999, an elephant with Royal Hanneford rampaged during a performance in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. “According to eyewitnesses, the elephant left the ring and ran back into the bleachers. In a panic, spectators tripped and fell trying to get away from the elephant.”
(2) On Sept. 4, 1998, a zebra with Royal Hanneford escaped and was found by police wandering along a busy roadway in Charlotte, N.C.
(3) Feb. 16, 2001: Royal Hanneford exhibitor was cited by the USDA for failure to provide environment enhancement for primates.
The trainer said that he kept the chimpanzees in solitary confinement for the majority of the time “so that they will be more motivated to perform.”
(4) April 13, 2000: Tina, a Royal Hanneford elephant, was tested positive for tuberculosis and had exposed two other elephants, Ina and Chandra, to the disease, which is transmittable to humans. Also, in December of 1999, Royal Hanneford was cited for failure to have five elephant trainers tested for tuberculosis.
And yes, an event at Freedom Hall CAN be cancelled.
Remember the cancellation of a White Zombie concert scheduled to be held there on Feb. 4, 1996?
While the Humane Society remains neutral on that particular case, it does use it as an example.
You can find out more dirt on Hanneford on the Humane Society’s web site at wchumane.com.
In the Sept. 21, 2002 edition of the Johnson City Press, there was a news blip about a tiger mauling a young boy in California at an elementary school. The tiger’s appearance was a “reward” for the children having raised money in a booster competition. It happens all the time.
But we still just don’t get it. Wild animals, whether they were born in captivity or not, will always be wild, and they will always pose a danger to children, their keepers and themselves.
But the nightmarish show will go on, until we do something about it.
Please, folks. Do the right thing. Boycott the circus.

Author