USDA Fines Elephant Handler Who Was Target Of IDA Complaint
An Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

In Defense of Animals (IDA)
February 2012

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has fined exhibitor Doug Terranova $25,000 for willful violation of the Animal Welfare Act related to his handling of elephants Kamba and Congo, who were used for performances and rides.

IDA filed a complaint in 2009 urging the USDA to confiscate the elephants, after they escaped from a circus and Kamba was struck and seriously injured by a SUV. It was the second time the elephants escaped and had their lives put at risk. Terranova sold Kamba and Congo to the Dallas Zoo in 2010, where he was hired as a keeper; he resigned in 2011 after publicity involving the case that also included the deaths of two tiger cubs.

Terranova now is not allowed to own, handle or exhibit elephants.


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