which has a ‘F’ rating from the Better Business Bureau<\/a> – is as sleazy as it gets and represents everything that’s wrong with using animals in traveling shows,” said Rachel Mathews, PETA Foundation deputy director, in an email. “Its workers have been caught striking an elephant in the face with a bullhook, whipping a llama onstage, forcing painfully lame elephants to give rides and perform tricks, denying veterinary care to wounded and injured animals and more. PETA urges caring people to stay far away from this and other outfits that try to turn a profit on the backs of suffering animals.”<\/p>\nThe Better Business Bureau gave the circus a bad grade for failing to respond to nine complaints.<\/p>\n
“Our animal trainers and handlers have love and compassion for all of the animals under their care,” Garden Bros. Circus said in an emailed response to PETA’s statement. “The animals in our circus are like family. They are treated with the utmost respect and attention. Every month they are carefully inspected by a vet and receive new health certificates. All of the animals are USDA certified.<\/p>\n
“Anyone can see that our talented animal friends are happy performers with no distress. It is our priority to provide them with anything that allows us to meet their everyday needs. They are never lonely, always offered fresh food and water and they love bath time.”<\/p>\n
Tim Higgins, ShoWare Center general manager, released the following statement in response to the PETA comment.<\/p>\n
“Accesso ShoWare Center was built to bring events to the city of Kent and the Puget Sound region,” Higgins said. “Our mission is to promote a wide range of entertainment and utilize the arena as it is intended. We are excited to offer another great option for family entertainment with Garden Bros. circus choosing our city and region.”<\/p>\n
Other stops in Washington in April by the Garden Bros. Circus include Walla Walla, Longview, Lynden and Everett.<\/p>\n
PETA said that numerous venues and localities across the country – including in California, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Vermont and Virginia – have canceled Garden Bros. shows or barred the circus from performing with animals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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