Carson and Barnes Circus brings controversial elephant show to Deming

DEMING – The Carson and Barnes Circus returns to Deming in April, and its dinosaur-themed “Circus Saurus” will include performing elephants.

“Elephants will be invading Deming, NM for what could be the very last time,” said the circus in a press release. “Elephants have always been a part of the magic and wonder presented by circuses in the past, but this tradition could just be a faded memory in the near future.”

It wasn’t clear whether that statement was intended to promote interest in the show or a reflection of changing public opinion about the use of elephants and other wild animals as performers.

Changing times for circuses

Animal rights activists have long criticized circuses over animal exhibitions, and since the 1990s municipalities across the United States have adopted bans or regulations on performances by non-domesticated animals, elephant rides, and public contact with wild animals. Similar bans have spread in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Other bans have outlawed use of the bullhook, an implement used in the training and handling of elephants, which critics say inflict pain and instill fear in the animals.

In New Mexico, Santa Fe banned wild animal acts last September, and Rio Rancho has had regulations on animal exhibitions in its municipal code since 2009.

In 2017, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus folded after 146 years of operation, citing low ticket sales which had dropped even further after it ended elephant shows a year earlier.

MORE: Carson and Barnes circus cancelled after council member's opposition

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma-based Carson and Barnes circus has met with protesters and vandalism of its posters at numerous stops, including Taos and Santa Fe.

In Newark, Ohio, Carson and Barnes canceled its engagement last summer after opposition from a city council member.

In Rio Rancho, the Garden Brothers circus (which rented elephants from Carson and Barnes) had to perform without animals last spring after failing to secure an animal exhibition permit.

Animal care complaints

A page from the circus's official website states, “Carson and Barnes Circus complies with all federal, state and local regulations, in addition to its own internal animal care guidelines. Traveling exhibits are required to be licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Carson & Barnes Circus must meet the standards and regulations established by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to qualify as a licensed USDA exhibitor.”

Yet Carson and Barnes has fallen short of those standards on numerous occasions, according to USDA inspection reports and federal complaints.

In 2016, the company agreed to a $16,000 settlement for allegations of mishandling elephants in 2014, resulting in escapes and injury to the animals, without admitting to or denying the allegations.

A previous $3,714 settlement with the USDA in 2012 followed 10 citations for violations of the Animal Welfare Act in 2011 and 2012.

During 2017, the company was cited for exposing a llama to broken glass in its enclosure, storing animal feed in damp conditions, and for an incident in Wisconsin in which an elephant escaped and wandered into a residential neighborhood.

MORE: Elephants headed to Iowa spotted along roadside

“Animal circuses force wild animals to perform confusing and painful tricks through violence and intimidation,” said Alan Edmonds of Animal Protection of New Mexico. “Circuses that treat animals cruelly are a poor example for our communities, and Carson & Barnes, in particular, has a significant and repeated record of animal abuse and neglect.”

Carson and Barnes did not respond to telephone or email queries for this story.

Chamber Partnership

The Deming-Luna Chamber of Commerce partners with Carson and Barnes, helping to secure venues and promote their Deming shows.

Chamber Director Laurie Findley said the circus last visited Deming in 2016 with no incidents. Apart from a single complaint posted on the Chamber’s Facebook page, there were no local protests, and Findley said the company has been a good partner and she was looking forward to the circus's interactive dinosaur exhibit.

“It’s a nice fundraiser for the Chamber,” said Findley, disclosing that the Chamber receives a percentage of ticket sales. She praised the company's professionalism and community outreach and said she doubted there would be local opposition to the animal acts.

Performances are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 23, at the Southwestern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 4300 Raymond Reed Blvd.

Algernon D'Ammassa can be reached at 575-546-2611 (ext. 2608) or adammassa@demingheadlight.com.

More: Deming and Luna County Community Calendar