Ringling Brothers Pays $270,000 Fine After Appalling Treatment Of Animals
The Ringling Brothers circus has paid an animal mistreatment fine of $270,00 after many of their shows animals were found to be living and transported in squaller.
While the circus did not admit any wrong doing Federal inspectors found that the company’s animals were living in conditions that did not meet federal guidelines.
In one instance an elephant was forced to perform while sick, while other elephants’ faces were cut open by sharp edges found inside their transport trailers.
Investigators also found that the circus’ big cats were living in rusty cages with splintered floors.
In perhaps one of the most appalling acts of animal mistreatment food was delivered to Tigers in the same wheelbarrows used to haul their excrement.
The fine levied against Ringling Brothers is the largest ever assessed against an exhibitor of animals and the USDA has promised to make sure that the company takes all necessary steps to protect their animals under the Animal Welfare Act.
Along with their penalty Ringling officials will now perform annual compliance training for all employees. The circus described the fee simply as the “cost of doing business.”
Do you think $270,000 was a large enough fine given the size of the circus and the severity of their offenses?
[Image via ShutterStock.com]
![Taylor Swift’s Disgusted Reaction To Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez Kiss Goes Viral [Video]](http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Watch-Justin-Bieber-And-Selena-Gomez-Backstage-Kiss-The-Taylor-Swift-Diss-Video-100x100.jpg)
![‘Brady Bunch’ Reunion Takes Place At Kings Island [Video]](http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Brady-Bunch-Reunion-100x100.jpg)
![‘Ugly Baby’ Jab On ‘Footy Show’ Angers Parents [Video]](http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ugly-baby-100x100.jpg)
Nov 29, 2011
No. In addition to the fine, all of the animals should have been confiscated or arrangements should be made now to place them in sanctuaries.
Nov 29, 2011
agreed. Feld has so much money and the animals are still suffering.
USDA BOUGHT AND SOLD.
Nov 30, 2011
i think everybody has to keep their mouths shut! We dont mistreat animals in the circus! Its such a big cliche!! uGH!!!! get over it people, they are like family to us >=/
Dec 1, 2011
Why can't they just take care of the animals! Unbelievable!
Dec 1, 2011
Cele Rivera -So do you beat and whip your children too, and keep them chained up or in small cages their whole life. I hope not.
Dec 1, 2011
we train the animals , we don't mistreat them year round! what do you think we are inhuman or something? you are talking about something you have no idea about! I have been in the circus life for 7 generations and yes, sometimes some owners do act awful, but in those cases, the animals have been taken away, you haveno idea how much we love them and respect them, there are ceratinly more important things to worry about , why worry about animals if they are cared and loved for. We don't keep them in little cages thier whole life. Maybe you should spend a season on a circus traveling show, then give your opinion.
Dec 1, 2011
Year round or one day doesn't make it any less wrong.
Dec 1, 2011
YOU need to get your facts straight on this story there not even close to the truth this is pour journalism… That is not even ringlings elephant in the photo.
Dec 1, 2011
DO tell me what sanctuary has enough room to move 30+ elephants? oh thats right u cant because there isnt one
Dec 1, 2011
The animals get better treatment then the people! They always get water and electricty first. They are fed large amounts of fresh foods, whether its meats, fruits, or veggies. If you have never traveled with the cirus for a season then you have NO reason to have an opinion. Based on what you SEE OR READ on the internet!@ Pat Cuviello if the internet told you to jump off a bridge would you do it? Seriously people have no clue about the excellent treatment the animals on Ringling recieve! They are like the care givers family or kids. They watch over them day and night, bathe them, everything is provided for them! You all act like dogs or cats aren't trained and disiplined! Educate yourselves first!
Dec 1, 2011
Pat Cuviello I hope you don't treat your kids the way you treat your animals either. It's difficult to take anything you say seriously after you equate children with animals.
Dec 1, 2011
Pat Cuviello I HOPE U KNOW WHAT A RUDE SICK PERSON U ARE POSTING ABOUT THE MAN WITH THE KANGAROO hes DEAD
Dec 1, 2011
People are so nieave. Of course they will believe what they read on the Internet by some person who has absolutely no clue as to what they are talking about. Not every apple in the tree is bad and by taking our family ( our animals ) away, your killing us! You guys are the murderers here! These animals are our children, siblings, best friends and your taking them away from their only loved ones. That isn't even A Ringling elephant! Not all of us circus performers are animal abusers! I am a 5th generation circus performer and I have not once come across an animal abuser in out business! I've only seen abusers outside of our business. Your all brain wasted! Like Celeste said, go join a circus for a season and then come back an tell us what you think! Your minds will completely change! But will you do that? Probably not because you'd rather sit on your lazy asses, stuffing your fat faces with KFC and sit on your computers reading BULLSHIT and think your gunna Help by taking our families away and ruining our lives for absolutely no reason at all!
Dec 1, 2011
I just read their take on Ohio. They "report" escaped cheetahs and have a pic of an elephant in the street. IIMHO not a site with articles worth debating. Clearly amateurs .
Dec 1, 2011
Lol those aren't ringlings elephants!