Fate of “Nosey” the FL Circus Elephant in USDA’s Hands
Posted January 31, 2014 07:45 am
DAVENPORT,
FL – Nosey the elephant is in trouble, according to
animal welfare activists who have been working to get
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to revoke the
exhibitor's license of the Davenport-based circus that
owns her.
Delcianna Winders, an attorney with the PETA Foundation, says Hugo Tommy Liebel, who does business as The Great American Family Circus, has been cited for almost 200 violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
USDA Docket 2011: There is reason to believe that the respondent willfully violateed the Animal Welfare Act...
Winders points out the violations include chaining the female elephant so tightly, she can barely move, among other concerns.
"Many of them related to failing to treat her skin
condition," Winders adds. "She's suffered from a
painful, chronic skin condition for decades and he has
repeatedly refused to treat that."
An affidavit from a former circus employee states that
Nosey has been shocked with electric prods and beaten
with a bull hook.
The USDA has also cited Liebel for not cleaning animal
enclosures, mishandling animals and withholding food for
training purposes.
Liebel's exhibitor's license expires today, and PETA
hopes the USDA won't renew it - and that Nosey will be
released to a sanctuary to live out the rest of her days
in a more natural environment.
Nosey travels around the country with the circus, and is
used to perform tricks and give rides to people.
The USDA says the circus has disregarded its
requirements, according to Winders, by failing to handle
the elephant safely and supervise her during public
exhibition.
"And for allowing dangerous contact between her and the
public," Winders stresses, "even though she actually
once attacked a man and sent him rolling down a hill and
then, to the hospital."
In the wild, elephants form deep family bonds and live
in tight, matriarchal family groups of related females.
Winders says Nosey has been the solitary elephant with
this circus for decades.
Photos/graphics and links added by the Observer
Photo: PETA