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We advocate on all animal protection and exploitation issues, including experimentation, factory farming, rodeos, breeders and traveling animal acts.

Animal Defenders of Westchester
P.O. Box 205
Yonkers, NY 10704

Press Release

HANNEFORD CIRCUS - NO MORE TRICKS!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Kiley Blackman  
[email protected]
www.adow.org   

Westchester, NY FEBRUARY 18, 2005 Members of Animal Defenders of Westchester will join outside Westchester County Center on Feb. 18, from 12:30 - 2:30 pm, to protest the presence of the ‘Royal’ Hanneford Circus.

Last year this circus told the media that their Department of Health certificate ‘...is proof that the animals are well-taken care of, vaccinated, tested for tuberculosis, etc.’  An investigation into this claim proves Hanneford to be liars - the Dept. Of Health states they are only checking for food, water, and the removal of feces and urine.  The Dept. Of Health does NOT check for vaccinations, tb testing for the elephants - and definitely not for the care given to the animals.

This circus also displayed their horses to the media - while denying their cameras access to any other area.  Perhaps the reason for this is that, according to an article in the WESTCHESTER WEEKLY, reporter Robert Masterson wrote that the “...elephants were chained, front and back, when they were not performing...” which belies Hanneford’s supposed ‘good treatment’ of its’ elephants; chains so short animals can’t groom themselves or turn around;  perhaps Hanneford doesn’t want the public seeing animal enclosures so tiny and inadequate, elephants standing in their own urine, evidence of inadequate veterinary care - all of which  they’ve been cited for repeatedly by the USDA...

Kiley Blackman, organizer of this event, said “The Hanneford circus is over;   These antiquated, cruel acts are being stopped all over the world.  In addition, Westchester County has been served with a Notice of Dangerous Condition regarding traveling animal acts.  Lawsuits resulting  from circus problems could raise property taxes.  Is it really worth it for an hour of supposed ‘fun’?”