A tiger is roaming the Downtown Mall. Actually, she is sitting in a cage, topless, holding a sign that reads: "Wild Animals Don’t Belong Behind Bars."
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) member Christina Dang is baring her skin to protest the arrival of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Charlottesville and expose the abuse of circus animals.
According to a PETA fact sheet, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s documents show that Ringling paid a $20,000 fine when a baby elephant died after being forced to perform while sick. Ringling got a warning after it shot and killed a caged tiger and injured two baby elephants by pulling them away from their mothers. The documents also show that Ringling has been cited for failing to provide veterinary care, minimum space, exercise and drinking water for the animals.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be at the John Paul Jones Arena tomorrow until Sunday, December 14.
Should circuses be banned from owning wild animals?