We live in a time when background checks are necessary to protect children and the public from harm. Merely taking a business license at face value and a copy of an insurance policy would not reveal crimes, fines, violations, broken laws, etc.
Carson & Barnes Circus has a long documented history of public endangerment and beating animals. (USDA C License Number: 73-C-0001) http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?more=1&p=420
Communities all across the country are banning wild animal in circuses. Huntington Beach, CA, Santa Ana, CA, Los Angeles, CA Fulton County, GA, Margate, FL, Miami Beach, FL Dane County, WI and Ketchum ID. In June 2014 Plymouth will join Braintree, Quincy, Revere, Provincetown, Weymouth, and Somerville, Massachusetts in banning wild animals. http://plymouth.wickedlocal.com/article/20140415/NEWS/140417407/?tag=3 http://ketchumidaho.org/DocumentCenter/View/1893
If all these communities recognized animal cruelty when they looked at the science and facts of wild animals in traveling circuses what reasons do we have for dismissing this proof without first looking at the evidences? http://www.federalcircusbill.org/news/10-reasons-support-traveling-exotic-animal-protection-act-teapa/
In April 2014 three of Carson’s elephants at a circus in St. Louis MO were spooked by the crowd noise as they were preparing to give rides, they rampaged through a parking lot out of control and damaging vehicles for 45 minutes. http://kplr11.com/2014/03/22/elephants-damage-4-vehicles-on-family-arena-parking-lot/
How many families would let their children ride elephants if they knew how dangerous it is? Look at all the violations. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/foia/enforcement_actions/2012/September/Animal%20Welfare%20Act%20%28AWA%29/Stipulations/OK10026_AC_sa_Carson%20and%20Barnes_072612_Redacted%20Final.pdf
This is a sobering reminder that the use of stressed and traumatized elephants in circuses presents a grave public safety risk. Since 1990, at least 14 human deaths and more than 120 human injuries have been attributed to elephants. http://docs.burningbird.net/circus/elephantlist.pdf
“In a 2010 internal audit, the USDA itself said, “In 1995 and again in 2005, we reported that the monetary penalties were often so low that violators regarded them as a cost of business and that APHIS reduced the stipulations by making them basically meaningless.”
This leaves the public with the impression that the circus is innocent of any animal cruelty violations, when in fact the opposite is true. As long as the circus pays their civil penalties they can keep their USDA C-License active.
The circus does feed, water and provide shelter. But they cannot hide or stop these wild animals from displaying “Stereotypical Behavior”. Elephant experts say this behavior has never been seen in the wild. It is repetitive, abnormal behavior regarded as an indicator of poor welfare, stress of living in an unnatural environment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq1Yw2ebE0o
All I am asking is that you educate yourselves on this subject so that you can make a more informed decision about the risk and safety to the community before inviting wild animal’s circuses back.
Regards,
Jane Myers
38 comments:
Tennis players at 28th st park this morning, afternoon and still playing at 8:30 tonight. thanks to the city for returning the court to what is was originally intended.
10:25 good to hear that! Finally!
I agree with Jane Myers. The Circus should be stopped.
And thanks to the city for foolishly wasting our tax dollars and continuing to do so. How many thousands have been foolishly spent on pickel ball in Peru and how much more will be spent in the future? The letter on wild animal circuses is well written with strong documentation and should be extensively considered now and in the future.
Let's say one of these wild animals in the circus gets loose and starts charging the crowd, will our police department be legally able to shoot the animal with a gun? Not a tranquilizer gun(doesn't this take a while to sedue) an animal? Where would lawsuit be? Safety plan?
Unfortunately, circus animals are probably not treated as well as we would treat our own household pets. Sad to say, sometimes the best way to shut down these types of operations is to simply not attend their events.
Thank you for sharing this Lois. This is exactly the type of situation that reveals the leadership abilities or lack of it of public officials. The letter writer is providing the public body with information pertaining to public safety in our community. After that is the responsibility of the public officials to decide how to react or if they will react at all. I am a critic of Peru's elected officials based on my observations of their actions or inactions of particular issues. Based on what I have witnessed from the current group I would be shocked if any of them were even aware of the situation described in this letter. I doubt that any of them, other than Mr. Perez, have the initiative or foresight to look into the issue or instruct Peru's Public Safety Officers to investigate and provide a report to the council.
I see the newpaper reported on Alderman Dave Potthoff climbing up on his "Soap Box" and providing another of his "Holyer than Thou" rants about legalized gambling in Peru. Isn't this the same Dave Potthoff and city council that recently spoke about the need for additional revenue for the city of Peru? Things like public safety when a Circus comes to town are not glamorous issues for elected officials to deal with. But, how such issues are handled are extremely important indicators of the abilities and competency of public officials.
Based on my observations of the abilities and competency of Peru's elected officials the last place I would take my family would be to that Circus.
What organization is sponsoring this circus, and is this the same circus that was is Peru 4-5 years ago?
I say we keep the kids locked up inside the house playing xbox. IF they ever need to leave the immediate vicinity of their climate controlled, risk free, 100% absolutely safe environment then they should be sealed inside a plastic bubble with and have a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads.
Get serious folks. Most circus animals are treated much better than that pig you just roasted on your grill in the form of a sausage last Sunday. And I have a greater fear of a coyote attacking me while I take out may garbage can than an elephant running loose from a circus.
7:58 Your on the conspiracy kick again and attempting to use elephants at a circus to implicate city officials in some sort of scandal. A investigated report on a circus? How much food did the monkey eat? How many kids smiled when the clown came out? How was the cotton candy? Did they use saturated fat on the popcorn?
If you are a city official I would hope that you are not spending your time on this pink elephant chase. Then again, it would be good laugh for the next edition of the local news.
To 9:25 am and 9:32 am, I wish to offer my sympathy for your narrow-minded view of the world around you. When I see comments from people like you who seem to have no ability to comprehend a larger view of the world beyond the city limits of Peru, I understand how it is that you have elected the people you have running your city. Please, for your own good, open your mind. There is so much more than your tiny insignificant existence in Peru, IL. I'm sorry!
Google how circus animals are treated. I will not promote animal abuse by attending any circus.
7:58 your post is a perfect example of why people don't sign their name.
Lets get serious about a circus coming to town. Your implicating a Mayor and City Council for allowing a circus in town. Its not a glamourous issue, are you kidding me? I hope this is not a issue at all to anybody but Jane Fonda. I suggest you go out to the circus and tie yourself to the entrance area if your so upset about the circus. And tell every kid coming to the concert that its wrong and the boycott the proceeds for the pool.
To anon 7:58
I am coming to town with my elephant Rosie to do a show with my very beautful wife Marlena.
My Rosie only speaks Polish, she will feel at home in our visit to Peru. I invite you to sit in the first row to witness this spectacular event for the kids of Peru.
August
Water for Elephants
Get serious! We have more comments about a circus than we have about gambling. Something is wrong with the bloggership.
9:32 Someday, you may actually have to leave the cocoon of the Illinois Valley, and visit the real world, where more and more cities are banning animal circus visits.
Real Circus acts, not these touring animal cruelty zoos, feature humans and acrobatics.
You might want to check out some of the investigative reports that have already been done on how Circuses treat elephants and other performing animals. But its always easier to just say everything is fine the way its always been in your tiny world.
Come on. They are animals. They exist to do our bidding.
8:53 your comment doesn't deserve to be on this blog.
The video from Monday's council meeting is on the city website, but of course, the controversial meeting from 2 weeks prior is not there yet. Makes ya wonder!
Anon 8:53PM Would you please share your background with others so we can obtain a idea from which your thought process towards animals has developed. I do not pretend to be in any way a authority on animals but I do realize that there is a difference between a domestic and a wild animal.
I also realize that certain individuals had the same mindset against particular nationalites and races of human beings. Although I hope your comment, although highly distasteful, is not indicative of your true thought.
8:36 is the controversial video that you are talking about a committee as a whole meeting? If that is the case are those meetings recorded?
@8:36 Just as different people have different ideas of different subjects of the world there are people who have different ideas of the meaning of the King's English. specifically Peru's Mayor campaigned under the theme of TRANSPARENCY and CHANGE.
Presently ALL who campaigned for him now are aware that this is the least of what has been recieved in his time as a incumbent.
8:53 To whom much has been given, much will be asked.
We are the stewards of the earth, not the cruel overlords. Animals do not exist simply for our pleasure. Sadly, when people are arrested for animal cruelty, they often have that exact defense and angry response.
11:19 Please define for all of us what this transparency and change is all about. The city has meetings videotaped, minutes are all posted on line. Change is everywhere. New positions, city engineer, new alderman, new clerk, new treasurer, new mayor, new department heads, etc, etc. The name of the city has still remained, but that's about all.
I think we know what your getting at. You worked hard to get Harl elected and have been dissappointed because you were not his choice for that new political hire. We understand that politics isn't fair by your definition and everybody should be rewarded for their tricks of the trade in getting him elected.
I'm just confused with the ggod old change and transparency line we hear at every election.
@2:20PM Thank You
3:17 PM
In all the years of administering this blog I have not come across such a pathetic attempt to cover up this current administration. As one of the early supporters of Harl, my answer to you is that you are absolutely clueless as to how this city works. This is the a truely an administration who governs with political patronage. None of those who worked for Harls election ever had any political desires, it was only to put honesty back into government and to say that this administration has failed is said kindly because it is so far removed from the people that they are now governing within a vacuum Very sad and most unconnected people know it.
3:17, you must be a recent participant in this town forum. Do you realize how many questions and concerns have been blogged regarding the citydepartments and to no avail they have been answered? Wonder why? Ask yourself 3:17 why there are so many closed council sessions since Harls administration? Why people are on a committed in which they are clueless in that department? Why would Mayor Harl not hire City full-time employees/department heads with an application/resume process in which is advertised? Why Peru has/had a payroll scandal? Is there a problem with bidding on contracts in Peru? Why we (Peru) seem to have so many problems with the video tapping of the council meetings? 3:17-SHALL I CONTINUE? JUST A FEW TINNIE EXAMPLES. 3:17,, It's not foggy outside.
@3:17 Also high on your list should be a explanation to the short stay of the P.E. Engineer of 5 months and the multiple assumptions of why the FBI is in Peru.
I also kcould elaborate but 4;34 PM and 11:05 PM have stated clearly some of the problems.
8:48, ETC.
Your comments are based on assumptions. Your fooling yourself if you believe those who were Harl supporters didn't look to get hired in the Harl administration. I have heard from many of them that they were interviewed and gave applications for the Public Works Supervisor. And many of them hold a grudge because of them not being hird.
The payroll fault is a result of the overzeolous alderman and showed a lack of judgement on the Mayor. The FBI investigation has not resulted in anything, and probably based on anon. rumors from those who feel slighted.
Lois, and others had no gain and wanted change. You rightfully want more from your elected group. A few are very good, and a few are not top caliber. Thats why you have many members of congress, senators, county board, city councilman.
Those who continue the name calling and rumors will continue to do so in the name of whats in it for them. Its nothing about our city. If they signed their name we would laugh and be able to immediatly identify them as one of those looking out for themselves.
to 9:34 am, You said,
I have heard from many of them? A few are very good? A few are not top caliber? It's nothing about our city? One of those looking out for themselves?
You could not possibly be more misguided and uninformed. Your mind-set essentially makes you part of the problem that has to be overcome in Peru.
When you are satisfied with sub-standard performance by tour elected officials, sub-standard is exactly what you will end up with.
Those of us who expect much more will not settle for less. Your opinions remind me of the "Old World" mind-set that if you can get away with putting your time in without doing any real work you will gladly take your paycheck. That is what you are endorsing by giving any support to the current mayor and at least seven of eight aldermen.
10:43 please give us facts of your actual conversations with any of those you spit about. What do you consider sub-standard? Is it pickleball in a public park? Is it a concert at the airport? Is it about a circus for kids? Are they misguided with those issues? What is this "mindset in Peru", give us something tangible? Over the past several months we have had these constant posts about the subject of pckleball, concerts, circus and rumors of a FBI investigation. Nothing that most of residents care about. If you don't like pickleball,concerts,ciruses then keep complaining, I am not sure that the Mayor or city officials have much to say about those minor problems that look to be so important.
10:43 many of the aldermen have changed in recent years. You clearly don't like all but one? So why not run for office? Put your self out there with your agenda and run. Most of these people did so and won. Why not do the same instead of criticizing someone who actually made a reasonable comment.
Pickleball in a public park passed illegally, less than a few feet from a residence.
Yes.
Potentially fraudulent and dangerous private concert series that the city uses public funds to prop up, risking an actual FAA grant, and exposing themselves to multiple lawsuits.
Yes
A circus that belongs to an industry that is considered by many to be legal animal cruelty.
Yes.
You left out dozens of other issues the blog has discussed, choosing the ones you can make sound trivial and silly. But they are only silly when they dont affect you personally or you benefit from them. The election, pool and splashpad issues, the dubious charity fire department, gambling, environmental, no bid contracts, the election, the township, tax increases. The list goes on, but you like to point out pickleball, cause the name sounds silly and the players are more stubborn than the day is long. And charity concerts, cause who could ever get worked up about benefits for kids and soldiers. And of course the circus for 'kids', because nothing for kids EVER has a seedy underbelly and all Elephants just live to wear dresses and prance, like they do on your private copy of Dumbo.
You just go on picking and choosing what to point our as horsecrap around here. I, like the others, will talk about whatever needs discussing.
@9:34 The FBI would not come to a city and investigate based on anon rumors. You don't know if they have found anything or not, because they have not finished their investigation.
The mayor is at fault on the payroll fraud. Who is the overzealous alderman you are accusing?
As their are many who refer to the gambling environment I question whether they are aware that since 2012 there has been legal video gaming machines in the State of Illinois or if they are confusing the machines with the illegal gambling that has been in existence in the Illinois Valley since before Gramps was hanging onto Great Grammas apron strings (75-100 years).
Finally, once again, the state and city are going to get a 30% cut which hasn't been for at least 60 years that most know of. As for the illegal gambling which many participate in but do not care to acknowledge the state and city get no cut and any private citizen or political person who does is getting it illegally. Since illegal gambling is stealing from each citizen one wonders how local political figures allow it to exist or why. Better than that why would one vote for a corrupt politician?
I cant say how it works today but my grandfather used to actually make the payments from the taverns to the city officials and the police, or so he used to tell me when I was little. Maybe he was just blowing smoke or spreading rumor. But tickets were just part of the remnant of the Chicago mob that used Peru for lots of money laundering, and banking, and booze storage. I think there is a book on all the local roles Peru played in those days. I saw it at a bookstore called Finnegans in Utica once. Anybody know the title?
The gambling machines cause people to waste their money and go into poverty. We need to outlaw these machines in order to protect children! It is these machines that hurt people by taking their money away!
Anon 7:56 Where have you been for the last 100 years? It surely has not been in the Illinois Valley. Legalized video gaming machines have been approved in Illinois and you are upset by it, organized illegal gambling has gone on forever and you don't mention it?
PS. What are your thoughts on the state lottery tickets?
Anon 7:56 Before the State of Illinois legalized video gaming machines there were more illegal gambling machines in a few locations than there are in the entire city now.
The only form of gambling recently made legal has been the video gaming machines but yet a roster would be needed to list all involved in illegal "wink-wink"activities.
The state has not even skimmed the surface of illegal gambling in Illinois. To enforce the law you have to want to catch em' and than put a hurt on em'. A simple slap on the wrist just isn't going to do it!
Isn't there a couple taverns (not well lighted, not much signage for its business) that still have the wink wink of illegal gambling? These taverns have chosen not to have legalized gambling machines because they (the state) would have survellience(cameras surround legal gambling machines) of the illegal gambling and that wouldn't be good for business. Don't worry folks, it will catch up eventually with the business owners that allow illegal gambling. Personally, why not have the legalized gambling, at least the state receives revenue, and the city. The problem is when the revenue from legalized gambling isn't spent wisely. How about the establishments that have two cash registers, or one that leave the drawer open, no buttons pushed, or no receipt paper in register when a sale is tendered? Now, that's some honest business owner.
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