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Animal Defenders International

Milan: Ex-circus worker to expose cruelty towards animals in travelling circuses

Posted: 21 October 2009. Updated: 11 November 2009

Animal Defenders International (ADI) and AgireOra launch campaign to urge circus workers and circus visitors to report cruelty

As the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus sweeps into town, a former Ringling Brothers’ employee is joining Animal Defenders International and AgireOra as they launch a new drive to end the suffering of animals in travelling circuses.

Tom Rider will give shocking eye witness testimony of his time working in animal circuses in the USA, Spain, Holland, and Poland and will urge circus workers in Italy to blow the whistle on animal cruelty.

A new online video appeal for witnesses, with footage from Ringling Brothers circus is being launched together with leaflets that are being distributed at circus shows throughout Italy. Watch the video here:

Sickened by the years of animal abuse he witnessed in travelling circuses, Tom finally reported what he saw. This year, Tom testified against Ringling Brothers Circus in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia – the verdict is currently awaited.

The cruelty Tom witnessed included the animals being hit and poked with bull hooks (long bar with a sharp metal hook at the end) to make them perform or behave in a certain way, and severe confinement of the animals in small containers and enclosures.

ADI have placed undercover workers in dozens of animal circuses around the world and as a result have recorded horrific abuse of animals Our investigations have shown a very high level of casual and systematic violence in circuses, this means that a huge number of circus workers have witnessed the shocking scenes that we have caught on film. ADI and AgireOra are asking that these witnesses do as Tom Rider has done and break their silence, contact us confidentially and report what they have seen.

Tim Phillips, ADI Campaigns Director, who worked undercover in Europe’s largest circus lion and tiger training facility, said: “There are thousands of circus workers in Europe who are not cruel themselves, but are passively supporting cruelty by saying nothing. Our investigations have shown that violence and confinement are endemic to animal circuses, it’s time for people to speak up and stop the cruelty.”

Tom Rider said: “I saw the beatings of elephants, horses being punched, and tigers whipped and jabbed with sticks. I saw the elephants chained by the legs for around 22 hours a day and tigers living in small cages.”

“It starts to eat you up inside what you are seeing happen to these animals. I would urge all circus workers to stop looking away when they see cruelty but speak up for the animals. I know it is difficult to stand up a report what you have seen workmates do, but animals don’t have a voice.”

“Please have the courage to report cruelty, contact us, anonymously if you like, and help end the suffering.”

ADI and AgireOra also want to show what goes on behind the glamorous façade of the visiting American circus and urge visitors to support Italy’s animal-free circuses and other cruelty free attractions instead.

Watch Tom on video here:
Visit the Stop Circus Suffering website

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