People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals (PETA)
October 2014
Week after week after week, PETA has documented Hugo and Franciszka Liebel forcing Nosey the elephant to give rides and perform grueling tricks even though she is hobbled by pain and soreness. According to our veterinary consultant, who knows elephants inside and out, Nosey is showing signs of crippling arthritis, yet the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has refused to take her off the road.
Let the USDA's inspector general know that the agency is abdicating its responsibilities.
Demand that the agency confiscate Nosey, send her to a reputable sanctuary, and revoke Hugo Liebel's exhibitor's license.
Sign an online petition here
And/or better yet, make direct contact:
Tom Vilsack
Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
phone (202) 720-3631
fax (202) 720-2166
[email protected]
AND
Urge the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to revoke Hugo Liebel's permits
Sign an online petition here
And/or better yet, make direct contact:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Farris Bryant Building
620 S. Meridian Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
phone (850) 488-4676
On September 29, PETA representatives met with USDA officials—including the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's administrator, Kevin Shea, and its deputy administrator of animal care, Dr. Chester Gipson—to demand that the agency take Nosey and other crippled elephants off the road. These high-level agency officials showed up unprepared to address concerns about Nosey, admitted that they are—despite all the documentation, materials, and complaints submitted by PETA—unfamiliar with Nosey's situation, and refused to commit to enforcing the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to protect her.
Prior to the meeting, the USDA had heard from more than 160,000 compassionate people demanding that the agency take action for Nosey. And PETA submitted documentation of her condition to the USDA well in advance, including the opinion of an elephant veterinarian with decades of experience who observed Nosey and concluded that she "undoubtedly suffers from advanced arthritis and degenerative joint disease, resulting in ongoing pain, and most likely permanently impaired limb function." The USDA's response? It is "not [the agency's] job" to physically examine animals.
Nosey needs you now. Please join PETA today and let the USDA's inspector general know that the agency is abdicating its responsibilities. Demand that the agency confiscate Nosey, send her to a reputable sanctuary, and revoke Hugo Liebel's exhibitor's license.
FACT SHEET
Read PDF for complete documentation
Liebel Family Circus
USDA License #58-C-0288
PO Box 3230
Davenport FL 33836
Liebel Family Circus (aka Florida State Family Circus, Great American Family
Circus, Liebling Bros. Circus, or Liebling Bros. Family Circus), operated by
Hugo Tomi Liebel (aka Tommy Liebel, Hugh Blum, or Hugo Bloom), has
repeatedly 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 Liebel numerous times for failure
to give veterinary care to an African elephant named Nosey (aka Tiny or
Peanut); failure to provide animals in its care with wholesome and
uncontaminated food, shelter from the elements, and adequate space; failure
to provide primates with environmental enrichment; and failure to maintain
structurally sound enclosures. The USDA has also cited Liebel for allowing
animal enclosures to become filthy, mishandling animals, and withholding
food for training purposes. The USDA has also fined Liebel for violations of
the AWA, and Liebel was assessed a civil penalty of $7,500 to settle formal
charges brought against it by the USDA for repeated violations of the AWA,
including failing to address concerns regarding Nosey’s visibly poor skin
condition for more than four years. In addition, Liebel was forced to cancel
engagements in two cities because it failed to comply with city codes that
require a criminal background check on all circus employees. Contact PETA
for documentation.
Thank you for everything you do for animals!
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