Sears Drops Ringling Bros. Circus SponsorshipAnimal Protection Institute Animal Protection Institute Applauds Move, Expects Other Sponsors to Follow Sacramento, CA -- The Animal Protection Institute (API) today applauded Sears, Roebuck and Co. for ending its sponsorship of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The decision comes following a year of animal-related incidents at the beleaguered big top -- and an unprecedented onslaught of complaints from animal advocates and consumers.  In the last year, Ringling Bros. saw two animal trainers suffer serious injuries, denied a dying three-year-old elephant veterinary care, shot a caged Bengal tiger, and allowed a seal lion to die by unspecified causes. Concerns were re-ignited last November when a Bengal tiger escaped from its cage and mauled a Ringling trainer in Chicago. "We applaud the decision by Sears and expect other sponsors to follow suit," said Dena Jones, API's Program Director. "Ringling Bros. has gone from evoking images of clowns and cotton candy to having a reputation as dangerous to both humans and animals. I can't see why any corporation would want to be affiliated with the cruelty that Ringling currently represents." Consumers apparently agree. In recent months, API collected more than 10,000 petitions asking Sears to end its relationship with Ringling Bros. circus. The organization sponsored an advertising campaign against Ringling last summer and has encouraged stronger enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by the United States Department of Agriculture to prevent the mistreatment of animals by Ringling Bros. and other circuses.
For more information, or to contact Animal Protection Institute, see their website at: www.api4animals.org |
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