EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Animal advocates protested the use of Betty the elephant outside the Carden Circus during their stop at the El Paso County Coliseum on Thursday. <\/p>\n
The protest, organized by PETA, is set to take place during the traveling circus’s stop in the borderland as part of a campaign, “Free Betty,” aimed at releasing the elephant, dubbed “The Most Depressed Elephant in the World.”<\/p>\n
The organization, which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said Betty has not only spent nearly four decades in chains under the Carden family, but also suffers from severe physical ailments, including stiff legs, apparent trunk paralysis, and painful toenail cracks. <\/p>\n
According to PETA, citing elephant expert Dr. Chris Draper, Betty is at risk of a fatal collapse if not moved to a sanctuary. <\/p>\n
“I am now very concerned that new problems, especially Betty\u2019s rear nails, have emerged. It seems clear that Betty\u2019s welfare has declined since May, and I urge the authorities to take these observations seriously,” Draper said in a September welfare report on Betty. <\/p>\n
According to the Carden Circus website, along with Betty, their circus show features several other animals, including horses and camels, and said they are committed to the care and “ethical treatment of all of our animals.” <\/p>\n
“We believe in animal-human relationships that are built upon respect, trust, affection, and absolutely uncompromising care. We strongly oppose any form of cruelty or mistreatment to animals large and small,” the Carden Circus said on its website.<\/p>\n
However, PETA is continuing to advocate for the elephant to be released, stating that the animal needs proper care now that she is getting older. <\/p>\n
“Betty has suffered as a circus prop for more than fifty years, and if she is not sent to a true sanctuary where she would finally get the care she needs, she may not make it to her next birthday,” PETA President Tracy Reiman said.<\/p>\n
PETA is urging the public to avoid the circus and calls on federal officials to intervene.<\/p>\n
The organization also encourages the Carden Circus to go animal-free, allowing Betty and other animals to live peacefully.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in a statement to KFOX14\/CBS4 on Thursday, the City of El Paso said their team did a welfare inspection before Thursday’s show and found all the animals meeting required care standards, with the right records and licenses in place. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Animal Welfare Department, led by our Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Alvaro Medina, completed a welfare check for all animals housed at the Coliseum ahead of this weekend\u2019s event. All animals met expected standards of care and had up-to-date veterinary records, registrations, and licenses. We will continue working closely with Carden Circus staff to ensure the animals remain healthy and well cared for during their stay in El Paso,” Crystal D. Reyes, Interim Director of the Animal Welfare Department, said. <\/p>\n
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