CONTACT:
Kiley Blackman
[email protected]
www.adow.org
February 14, 2004 White Plains Members of Animal
Defenders of Westchester will convene for a peaceful demonstration against
the Royal Hanneford Circus at White Plains County Center on Saturday, Feb.
14, from Noon till 2:30 pm to protest cruel animal acts that pose a danger
to the public as well.
Due to the tragic mauling of Roy Horn, coupled with
incidents like a Hanneford elephant who rampaged
through the audience in 1999, the City of White Plains has been served with
a Notice of Dangerous Condition regarding traveling animal acts. This
Notice states:
"Having licensed a traveling show of wild animals
including, but not limited to tigers, bears and elephants, which pose
serious dangers, such as mauling, goring, impaling and trampling to the
public and performers, leading to property damage, serious injuries and/or
death; in addition, emotional, psychological distress from witnessing said
actions; other health risks include the possibility of contracting diseases
such as tuberculosis from the animals."
By permitting said dangerous conditions to exist within
its confines, White Plains is exposing itself to lawsuits that could
adversely affect property taxes of both store owners and private citizens.
Kiley Blackman, organizer of this event, said "A circus
elephant in Hawaii rampaged through the streets during a performance and it
took 87 shots to kill her; she bled to death in front of children and other
spectators. Is it really worth it for an hour of supposed 'fun'?"
