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November 30, 2009

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Letter: Stories of abuse of circus animals are all too true

Friday, July 7, 2000 | 10:01 a.m.

Well, July is here and that means the circus is in town. It is sickening to think of all the animals traveling all summer in those boxcars. The Mojave Desert in July is no place to travel crammed in those boxcars.

We used to go to the circus, and although we were vaguely aware of the stories of animal abuse, we put it aside and went anyway.

Several years ago we decided we'd go to the rail yard and watch the animals arrive. We rested and then stayed up late and went down, eager to see all the fun and excitement of arrival. What we saw sickened us. Animal after animal, more than I ever imagined could fit in one boxcar, came out. Those that didn't move fast enough were jabbed, dragged and hit. The elephants were the most pitiful. Big sharp "hooks" were jabbed into them. It was horrible.

Our kids were crying and were scared. We didn't go to the circus that year and we will never go again. The stories of abuse are true.

ROBIN PICARDO

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