For the second time in the past three years Carson & Barnes Circus will be setting up its Big Top in Highlands Ranch.
Established in 1937, Carson & Barnes, coming May 18-20, boasts the largest Big Top on Earth and provides a plethora of entertainment during each show.
Yet aside from the traveling town full of dedicated “carnies” and exotic animals that has brought smiles to children across America for decades it is the behind-the-scenes activities that have some locals up in arms.
Carson & Barnes, like most traveling circuses, has been cited by the USDA numerous times for the mistreatment of its animals, prompting protests at many stops along the way and even causing decisions by some municipalities to disallow the circus from coming to town.
According to an article posted on KETV’s website in Omaha, Neb., just last month the Bellevue (Neb.) city council rejected Carson & Barnes from coming to town this June due to concerns expressed by many of its residents. Bellevue is far from alone in this type of decision too.
The reason for such cancellations and pulled invitations has a lot to do with the number of violations circuses are tallying. For Carson & Barnes in particular, violations have ranged from failure to provide proper veterinary care, adequate shelter from the elements, proper food and water, and failure to handle animals in a manner that prevents trauma and harm and ensures public safety.
Many of the public safety citations have stemmed from not providing proper supervision during elephant rides, while last summer there was also an incident at the Kelly Miller Circus, a sister circus of Carson & Barnes, where three tigers escaped from their enclosure and injured a horse.
“It’s not a huge stretch to imagine that could happen to a kid,” said concerned Highlands Ranch resident Sarah Straus. “Relying on the caliber of the Carson & Barnes employees to ensure public safety, considering all their violations in recent years, is a scary proposition. We are absolutely dismayed by the HRCA’s decision to contract with (them).”
Those violations may not be the easiest to monitor either, considering the manpower available to the USDA.
“Last year, the USDA had only 105 inspectors to monitor 7,976 facilities that range from pet stores and circuses to slaughterhouses, laboratories and breeders. They can’t be everywhere, and yet, they still managed to cite Carson & Barnes repeatedly for safety violations,” said Julie Hanan, a former senior keeper at a big cat rescue that dealt extensively with retired circus animals and saw firsthand some of the “debilitating” effects performing had on them.
Hanan said she sees this as an opportunity for community leaders to step up.
“My hope would be that Highlands Ranch would continue to be a leader,” she said. “Statistically, the city excels in so many areas. That’s why we moved here. It’s time to add animal welfare and compassion to that list, too. With one dog for every four people here and the city touting itself as being the most dog-friendly community in Colorado, I just assumed city officials would show the same level of compassion for all animals.”
A representative from the Carson & Barnes media relations department declined comment on the matter, however the circus does have responses on its website to the widespread concern over the way it treats its animals.
“The animals are our ‘stars’ and are treated accordingly,” the website states, adding that it makes a lifetime commitment to all of its animal performers. “When an animal reaches retirement age while living with us, they stay year round at the Endangered Ark Foundation in Oklahoma, where a healthy and stimulating environment provides excellent care for the remainder of their lives.”
The site also states that circus elephants generally live to between 62 and 70 years, longer than the average life expectancy of zoo elephants.
“These people are committed to these animals. They take excellent care of them,” said Jamie Noebel, HRCA community relations manager. “We are excited to have them back. It provides a great opportunity for family fun right here in our backyard.”
And while it will no doubt be fun for some, for others the air will be filled with much more than the smell of cotton candy, but protest and concern as well.
“I hope we don’t see a tragic accident happen here in Highlands Ranch, but, more importantly, I hope the public becomes more educated about what the circus really brings to town,” Hanan said. “And, in my opinion, it’s not just entertainment.”
LisaH posted at 11:02 am on Tue, May 15, 2012.
Thank you for printing this article. I live in Highlands Ranch and I am disgusted the circus is being brought here. I will be there protesting, to be an advocate for the majestic animals that are forced into submission so humans can be entertained. Most of us would NEVER treat our pets the way these circuses treat the animals, and yet continue to support the abuse, neglect, and torture of these living, breathing, feeling beings. I would like to ask Jamie Noebel, HRCA community relations manager, who the "we" are that are "excited" for the circus...it's not me! I do not support animal torture as "fun". Thanks for posting the article. I hope people wake up and see what is happening to these animals we admire and find so beautiful.
dub111 posted at 4:06 pm on Sat, May 12, 2012.
This circus is no different from any other. Circuses = animal cruelty. It's time people see under the big top and realize by going to the circus they allow the suffering and abuse to continue for the animals that are forced to 'entertain'. Say no to this and all circuses.
Love & Light
DSR posted at 3:28 pm on Sat, May 12, 2012.
I was THRILLED to see this article. I like that they mention the very real citations and accusations against C&B Circuses, not just the abstract theory that the animals are treated poorly.
It seemed ironic, however, to say on one hand that this circus has commited crimes against animals as well as other violations and then on the other to say 'by the way, here's how to purchase tickets'.
If nothing else, I hope that people don't buy tickets to go to the shows. And perhaps that the HRCA uses this information to move closer to making a decision to no longer invite C&B and other circuses to come here. What a cool statement that would be about the people of Highlands Ranch. Up next- the rodeo.
GEMO posted at 8:10 pm on Thu, May 10, 2012.
None of us prefer the sentencing to death or slaughter of any animal, regardless of the species; but, the reality of it all is, that we need horse slaughter houses as a practical alternative and solution to govern the horse population. Public Laws forbid burying a horse on your own property these days because of possible contamination of water sources and supplies; so, what’s the practical alternative or solution? I agree that the need of unnecessary suffering needs to be resolved in all slaughter houses, regardless of species . . . cow, pig, chicken, etc. As for horse meat for human consumption, if it is untainted and USDA inspected, it is an excellent source of meat protein and an alternative to beef, pork, poultry, and other human-grade meat sources. If that is too hard for the U.S. human meat industry to consider, use horse meat for carnivorous animal food diets, just as other animal sources are used. The horse industry has crashed since the close of horse slaughter houses, and reopening of the horse slaughter houses is the only resolution to the over population of horses in the U.S. Do you really think that hunter’s get the shot exactly right for an instant kill every time, or slashing the throats of cows and pigs is a quick death, or wringing the necks or cutting-off the heads of chickens is instantaneous demise? Sit-back and give serious thought to all animal slaughter solutions, not just that of horses; if you’re going to sympathize with one species of animal, sympathize with them all; but the end result and reality-check has been the same for thousands of years of animal slaughter for human and animal consumption. Citizens within the U.S. need to ban together and offer better solutions to the overall humane slaughter of animals for whatever the meat by-product use is and not the concentration of one species.
DRyan posted at 1:13 pm on Thu, May 10, 2012.
On May 5 I sent an email to the HR Community CEO/General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Community Relations Manager, and all 5 members of the community Board of Directors outlining the 30+ year history of abuse and neglect of animals by Carson & Barnes. I attached a complete listing of their USDA citations, a letter written by a former employee containing many horrific examples of their practices, and a link to a video showing their abusive training methods on elephants. I was respectful and hopeful that they would take this seriously and stop condoning this by contracting with this despicable organization year after year. Here is the reply that Jamie Noebel the Community Relations Manager sent me: "We are addressing these concerns with Carson and Barnes and will certainly take them into consideration for the future." After seeing this article today, I have no faith whatsoever that she or the HR community leadership will address this. We need to contact the local TV stations to keep up the pressure to put an end to this. As I said in my email to the town management, it may well be that Carson & Barnes is welcomed in dozens of cities across the US but we can at least do the right thing locally by refusing to allow animal act "entertainment" in our town.
Stellina GP posted at 11:09 am on Thu, May 10, 2012.
Once again, ourHighlandsRanchnews demonstrates its dedication to unbiased journalism. Thank you for bringing to light the inherent -to my opinion- violence of circuses when it comes to exploiting animals. What has historically been a form of temporal entertainment for humans, should rather be a moral imperative regarding the well-being and the nature of these creatures (some of them being endangered worldwide). The level of civilization, they say, is measured by how we treat our most vulnerable: our children, our elderly, our animals. Thank you.
Kathleen posted at 10:50 am on Thu, May 10, 2012.
Thank you for this informative article regarding animals and the circus. Many of us don't stop to think what the animal's experience is when not performing or consider how the handlers got the animal to perform in ways not natural for the animal, but that we, the spectators find entertaining - until we are informed and realize the discomfort and pain this causes the animals. I've always loved animals and enjoy seeing them whenever I can, but had done so without consideration of the animal. This is valuable information. Information is power and we have the power that the regulartory agencies lack. We can choose to spend our time and money on entertainment that does not injure animals or endanger people should the animals escape. Thank you so much!
JulesH posted at 10:02 am on Thu, May 10, 2012.
It is a fact that all circus animals are abuses. These animals do not perform tricks because they like it they perform tricks because they are forced to and that force is abuse. By choosing not to support any circus you are saying no to that abuse. Please help others realize that social responsibility has evolved beyond allowing the abuse of animals for entertainment and these beautiful animals deserve a life of dignity and respect. Thank you for this article the more people that are educated the better off these animals life's can become.
BethAnn posted at 9:23 am on Thu, May 10, 2012.
I am so glad to see this article. People in this community that are thinking about going need to know what goes on behind the scenes. I would encourage anyone to please do some research and see for yourself the horrors that these animals go through. Not only that, but there is also a lot of footage online of animals getting out of the control of their handlers and going on rampages. I will never forget the video I saw of an elephant that just could not take the abuse any longer. The elephant escaped and was trying to run away. The circus employees shot the elephant what must have been dozens of times before it went down, and it still took a lot longer to die. Why do these kinds of horrific things have to happen?
Sarah posted at 7:45 am on Thu, May 10, 2012.
Thank you so much for listening and writing this article. I hope people will read it and make more compassionate choices when it comes to family "entertainment."
BigCatRescue posted at 6:35 am on Thu, May 10, 2012.
Thank you Julie for continuing to be a voice for the big cats! I had never heard of the Endangered Ark Foundation so I searched USDA's database for that name, couldn't find them, then searched for Hugo (the city) and still can't find them. OK has no rules or standards when it comes to wild animals, so it is no wonder that the circuses flock there to hide animals where they are not accessible to any apparent government oversight. An online search for Endangered Ark Foundation shows that they are exhibiting to the public, thus by federal law they should have to have a USDA permit. Terry Thompson, of Zanesville often displayed and exhibited his animals too, according to many news reports of his appearances, but USDA did not enforce their rules on him either. This is why we need to support the Big Cats Act HR 4122 now.
NoAnimalsInTheCircus posted at 11:51 pm on Wed, May 9, 2012.
Jamie Noebel, HRCA community relations manager, obviously has not researched this circus and discovered the overwhelming evidence of documented abuse and cruelty inflicted upon their animals.
“Carson & Barnes Circus has failed to meet minimal federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited Carson & Barnes Circus numerous times for failure to provide veterinary care and minimum space, for failure to provide shelter from the elements, for failure to maintain transport trailers, for inadequate ventilation, for unsound fencing that failed to protect spectators and animals, for rusty animal cages, for giving animals unclean water, and for failure to keep animal care records. The Carson & Barnes Circus animal care director was videotaped viciously attacking elephants with a bullhook, shocking elephants with an electric prod, and instructing trainers to embed sharp, metal hooks into the elephants’ flesh until the elephants screamed in pain.” http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/PDF/CarsonBarnes_fact.pdf
Common knowledge dictates that elephants don’t stand on their heads in the wild, nor do tigers jump through hoops of fire. Animals in circuses and traveling shows are subject to inhumane confinement: magnificent big cats like lions and tigers are housed in cramped cages, majestic elephants are shackled and chained in trucks and train box cars; training methods utilize violence, fear, and intimidation to make animals perform ridiculous unnatural stunts. For the few minutes you see animals “performing” they suffer a lifetime of misery. Not only is the physical abuse appalling, but the deprivation of any natural behaviors, choices and instincts is cruel.
Circuses that utilize animals epitomize animal cruelty - not family entertainment. There is no educational value for children who attend animal employed circuses. Seeing unnatural tricks performed by wild animals does not teach children the true nature of these animals or to respect and appreciate animals, only that it is acceptable to mistreat and exploit animals for entertainment purposes.
On November 2, 2011 Congressman Jim Moran introduced The Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act, H.R. 3359, a bill extremely vital to the lives of these animals, to ending this cruelty and protecting the public. http://breakthechainus.com/ If passed, this federal bill would amend the Animal Welfare Act to restrict the use of exotic and non-domesticated animals in circuses and traveling shows.
Thankfully their are individuals like Ms. Hanan and Ms. Straus who are concerned for the welfare of these animals as well as that of their community's safety.
Those of us who care about and respect animals will continue to advocate for their welfare and protection by raising awareness to their suffering; the more knowledgeable the public becomes about the plight of circus animals, the less inclined they will be to support and attend circuses that abuse and exploit these magnificent animals.