Kids & Family
Cole Bros. Circus to Pay Federal Fine over Animal Treatment Complaints
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says the $15,000 penalty will settle complaints to the USDA. The circus is coming to Watkinsville next week.
If your child is a public elementary school student in Athens, chances are he or she came home recently with a tickets to the Cole Bros. Circus. Last year's free ticket entitled the user a seat in the hottest part of the tent, with no air circulation. There were expensive, tiny bottles of water for sale, however.
The circus, which is , has settled multiple complaints with the USDA over treatment of its animals, according to a news release from animal-rights group PETA.
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Violations settled by a $15,000 fine include failure to provide veterinary care to two underweight elephants, failure to handle an elephant in a way that minimizes risk of harm, failure to house elephants properly and poorly trained handlers.
WMBF News of South Carolina reports that Cole Bros. Ringmaster Chris Connors said PETA's claims are not true.
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Are you concerned about Cole Bros.' treatment of animals? Do you plan to go to the circus next week? Tell us in the comments.
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