A member of San Diego Animal Advocates protests animal cruelty at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in front of ipayOne Center on opening night Aug. 9.
Protestors promoted animal abuse awareness by brandishing signs and distributing leaflets about poor teatment under circus trainers, including the use of bullhooks, tight collars, electrical prods, muzzles and whips as training devices, said Animal Advocates.
Elephants in traveling circuses can also suffer from pressure wounds, physical and emotional stress, and arthritis, according to www.circuses.com, a Web site published by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).