This morning, in advance of Ringling Bros.’ and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ first show in Mexico (on May 28), actor Kate del Castillo sent a letter on PETA’s behalf asking Arena Monterrey and Arena Ciudad de México not to host the cruel circus again. In her letter, del Castillo shares her PETA Latino video exposé of the circus, in which she requests, “If you’re thinking about going to a circus that uses animals, please reconsider,” and goes on to reveal how Ringling Bros. beats elephants in order to force them to perform.
“Most performers would love to sell out an arena, but elephants in the circus would surely trade in a packed audience for a life of freedom with their families,” del Castillo writes. “I hope to hear that you’ll do the right thing and decide never to host Ringling Bros. again.”
Kate del Castillo’s letter to the Mexican arenas follows.
May 19, 2014
Guillermo Salinas Pliego
President, Grupo Avalanz
Batallón de San Patricio 109
Col. Valle Oriente, CP. 66269
San Pedro Garza García
Nuevo León
Dear Mr. Salinas,
As an entertainer, I’m writing with deep concern for the elephants who will soon be forced to perform for Ringling Bros. circus in my native Mexico. I urge you to take a few moments to consider the information below and then make the kind decision never to host Ringling at your arenas again.
Heartbreaking undercover video footage reveals that Ringling Bros. routinely beats animals in order to force them to perform unnatural and even painful tricks for circus performances, as you can see in this PETA Latino exposé that I hosted. Photos taken by a veteran Ringling employee at the company’s elephant training camp have revealed that baby elephants are stretched out, slammed to the ground, and gouged with sharp weapons in order to teach them to perform tricks out of a fear of punishment. Veterinarians and elephant experts with decades of experience have urged Ringling to keep elephants who suffer from chronic foot problems and arthritis off the road, but the company does not listen and cares more about profits than about the animals it uses. It’s no surprise that Ringling paid the largest fine in U.S. circus history for Animal Welfare Act violations. Surely, you don’t want your arena to be associated with such cruelty to animals.
Most performers would love to sell out an arena, but elephants in the circus would surely trade in a packed audience for a life of freedom with their families. I hope to hear that you’ll do the right thing and decide never to host Ringling Bros. again.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Kate del Castillo
Published in Latino Daily News