Local Community Protests Cruel Practices of “Traveling Circus”
Cottonwood AZ (September 5, 2018) – The Jordan World Circus performance at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds in Cottonwood on Monday September 10 will be met with a peaceful protest from local community members. Protesters will meet at 3:30 PM.
“Jordan Circus consistently ranks as among the cruelest of traveling circuses by animal advocate organizations” says Karen Melillo, a protest organizer. There are numerous on-line videos available that show the hardship conditions that theses animals suffer every day.”
Jordan World Circus no longer possesses an exhibitor license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The animal acts are leased from outside companies, so Jordan is no longer subject to citations under its own name. During the time it was USDA-licensed, Jordan World Circus failed to meet minimal federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The USDA cited Jordan numerous times for inadequate and unsafe enclosures and for failure to provide proper veterinary care, proper animal handling, nutritious food and clean water, shelter from the elements, and exercise.
“Since Jordan’s animals are leased, they appear in other circuses as well, never getting a break” said Melillo in a released statement. We are providing a way for the community to come out and say these abuses are unacceptable.”
Animal rights activists across the nation rejoiced last year over the closure of Ringling Bros. circus, after 100 years in operation. Ringling Bros was perhaps the best-known circus in the nation. According to the company’s news release, last year, the famed circus closed its doors due to high operating costs and a decline in ticket sales. Prior to shutting down, Ringing Bros had phased out elephant acts in the wake of criticism, including from the Humane Society of the United States, and a fine of $270,000 to the US Department of Agriculture for alleged violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
Jordan Circus performances are regularly met with protests at its performance venues.
“It is my hope that people will see others speaking out and that they will stop to think about what goes into these traveling circuses. There are so many other great family activities that don’t involve small cages, lack of exercise, physical abuse, and exhaustion for living, sentient creatures. We just want people to think about that”. “Anyone willing to speak out for animals that cannot advocate for themselves is invited to join us,” says Melillo.