Vermonters Needed Now:
Keep Walker Brothers Circus Out of Springfield!
On Thursday, July 25, 2013, Walker International Events is planning to bring a circus to Springfield, VT, home of VINE Sanctuary. This event is being sponsored by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT:
This circus uses animals in its “acts,” including llamas, horses, and camels. Exploiting animals for the sake of entertaining humans is unjust, and circuses are notorious for mistreating the animals they use. Walker Brothers specifically has been cited by the USDA for being in violation of the Animal Welfare
Act for failing to provide even basic care for the animals. Serious violations range from abusing elephants to failing to adequately provide for the health, safety, and general well-being of other animals. They have also been cited for failing to attend to the safety of the general public.
Using animals in circuses is cruel to the animals as well as a very real health hazard to humans due to the spread of such diseases as tuberculosis.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT:
The Vermont Department of Agriculture has been alerted to the presence of camels, horses, llamas, and other animals at this circus (including animals kept hostage in a petting zoo). As a result, they forbade the camels and llamas from entering the state, shut down the petting zoo, and are currently investigating the horses.
The Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce has been alerted to the reputation of Walker International Events and is sympathetic to the attendant issues.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
If you live in or near Vermont, please call the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce to let them know that you are aware of the serious violations perpetuated by Walker International. Ask them to end their support of this circus as well as all circuses that exploit animals.
Please also write a letter to your local (VT) paper, and/or the papers listed below, expressing your displeasure about the circus coming to town. Let them know that using animals for entertainment is cruel and exploitative as well as potentially dangerous to humans in terms of the spread of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis. If you are the parent or guardian of a child, say so; it lets them know that people can care about animals as well as children.
Finally, please call or email the Vermont Department of Agriculture and thank them for their fast and effective intervention in this matter.
SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
(802) 885-2779
http://www.springfieldvt.com/email-new.htm
VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:
(802) 828-2430
AGR.Helpdesk@state.vt.us
VT PAPERS IN OR NEAR SPRINGFIELD:
The Message For the Week
(802) 875-4790
message@vermontel.net
Rutland Herald
(800) 498-4296 in Vermont and (800) 776-5512 outside Vermont
http://www.rutlandherald.com/section/INFO0302
The Shopper / The Vermont Journal
(802) 463-4300
editor@vermontjournal.com
Lisa Giovanni
