Circus Brings USDA-Documented Animal Cruelty to Denver

In Defense of Animals Calls on City to Cancel Circus Vazquez Animal Performances

Denver, Colorado—A controversial circus with animal acts under multiple federal investigations opens tonight at the Denver Coliseum for a four-day engagement (June 20-23). In Defense of Animals (IDA) has called on the Coliseum and the City of Denver to close down the animal acts based on Circus Vazquez's history of animal welfare violations.

In a letter sent last week, IDA informed the Coliseum and Mayor John Hickenlooper that Circus Vazquez' tiger act was cited for violating the Animal Welfare Act for a recent fatal, tiger-on-tiger mauling, which followed numerous, previous U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) citations for failing to provide the tigers adequate space. In addition, the elephant act that Circus Vazquez has hired is under investigations by the USDA for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated the elephant handlers, confirmed violation of the Endangered Species Act and is referring the case for prosecution.

"The City of Denver should not be party to the cruel and negligent treatment of animals in Circus Vazquez," wrote Elliot Katz, DVM, president of IDA. "We urge you to cancel permission for this circus to perform with its animal acts in your city due to both public safety and animal welfare concerns."

On March 31, 2008, a tiger with Circus Vazquez was attacked, nearly decapitated, and killed by one or more of her cage mates after the circus left six tigers crammed together in one cage. The Vazquez' troubles are not limited to tigers. Since February 2008, Circus Vazquez has been traveling with elephant handler Will Davenport. In the past year, the Davenport family has been repeatedly cited by the USDA for inhumane handling and failure to provide adequate veterinary care to three elephants, named Queenie, Tina and Jewel. The City of Los Angeles recently ordered Will Davenport out of the city because of his terrible record.

In 2000, Circus Vazquez was involved in smuggling an elephant into Mexico, a crime for which the circus' owner was convicted in Mexico. In 2001, two elephants traveling with the circus rampaged through a church, nearly trampling two people, and causing an estimated $75,000 in damages.

For more information on the elephants with Circus Vazquez see www.helpelephants.com.