Ringling Bros. Circus Wins Lawsuit Against Animal Activists

A federal judge ruled in favor of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus on a lawsuit against the treatment of elephants, reported The Washington Post.

Animal rights activists accused the circus of mistreating the Asian elephants owned by the circus.

Along with the Animal Protection Institute Tom Rider, a former employee of Ringling Bros., sued the circus for violating the Endangered Species Act by using bull hooks and chaining the elephants for long periods of time.

Officials for the circus told reporters the elephants were treated humanely and loved by their trainers.

Rider’s credibility was questioned since over the years he had received thousands of dollars from animal rights groups.

The facts led to the judge dismissing the suit because the animal rights group did not have standing on more technical legal grounds.

The lawsuit had been carried by Animal Protection Agency, American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Animal Welfare Institute and the Fund for Animals.