Please sign this petition and if you would like, call the Marcus Hook Borough Recreation & Parks Board at (610) 485-1341 ext. 430 and ask them to please cancel the circus scheduled for June 2nd. You can also email the Borough & the Mayor at mayor@marcushookboro.com, aemulholland@marcushookboro.com, bdorbn@marcushookboro.com, gwindsor@marcushookboro.com, office@marcushookboro.com

If you would like to call or email, you can say something like,

"Hello! I am wondering if the circus is still scheduled to come to town on June 2nd?



Is there a borough official available who I can speak to about this event?



There is currently an online public petition that has gained over 17,000 signatures, and counting, with over 480 signatures from Pennsylvania residents urging you to cancel this circus.



Does the borough care about the opposition that residents of Delco and Marcus Hook feel about the event?



Are you aware that the USDA has repeatedly cited Kelly Miller Circus for significant Animal Welfare Act violations up until just last year?



In addition to violations, the legal training of animals uses a bullhook, whips, and chains which are themselves incredibly cruel. Former circus employees have reported seeing animals beaten, whipped and denied food and water, all to force them to learn their routines. Animals are taught that not obeying the trainer will result in physical abuse. In the United States, no government agency monitors animal training sessions.



Traveling from town to town is also very stressful for circus animals—they are separated from their social groups and intensively confined or chained in horrible conditions for extended periods of time with no access to food, water, and veterinary care.



Many people are against all animal abuse and hope that the Marcus Hook Borough will not support this.



There has been children who were eyewitnesses of the cruelty during attendance at this show. As a community, we should put our children first and above anything else. We can not show children that it is okay to enslave wild animals for entertainment purposes and put them in danger.



Some of the circus employees have a criminal record and It is even documented that a worker raped a 14 year old child during her attendance at one of the shows.



Animals in circuses are also a threat to public safety overall. There have been hundreds of incidents involving circus animals attacking and escaping—often resulting in property damage, injuries and death.



Furthermore there is a risk of disease. Some elephants used in circuses have been found to carry a human strain of tuberculosis, which can be easily passed on to humans.



As you know, Marcus Hook is a very small town with only a few entrances and exits and available parking. During rush hour, such as on a Tuesday at 4pm-7pm, traffic is already so bad, many very concerned about getting to and from Marcus Hook during this time, especially if there was any kind of emergency situation.



I don't think that your intent is to danger your community, but by sponsoring and hosting the Kelly Miller Circus that is what you are risking.



Many cities in states including CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, MD, MA, MO, NY, NC, OR, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI have now banned wild and/or exotic animals from performing in their town. Please set the standard for Pennsylvania and cancel this circus and all future circuses that use wild and exotic animals. Marcus Hook now has a huge opportunity to do the right thing!



I know many people are not educated on these facts but now that you know I hope that you can please cancel this circus. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Please email me back at your earliest convenience."

Why else should the circus be cancelled? Please read on:



In sworn affidavits, numerous witnesses described the handlers of the Kelly Miller Circus physically abusing animals during several stops on the circus’s tour—including forcefully whipping zebras at every observed performance.



The USDA has repeatedly cited Kelly Miller Circus and its contract exhibitors for significant AWA violations. The following is just a small sample of the cruelty occurring at various shows over just a 10-day period, as reported by the eyewitnesses:



- A handler whipped a baby zebra twice on a back leg, apparently causing the animal to limp in pain.



- A camel was whipped, and a handler forcefully struck a small dog on the face.



- A tiger was struck on the face.



- A camel and several zebras were tethered on ropes so tightly that they could barely move.

Source: http://www.peta.org/blog/deplorable-abuse-animals-circus/

More Info:



Life under the big top is not the "wholesome, fun-loving, educational experience" the circus industry would like you to think it is. For the animals, life is a monotonous and brutal routine of boredom, stress and pain. In short, traveling animal acts perpetuate animal cruelty, inhumane care, public safety hazards and distorted images of wildlife.



Circus animals are confined virtually all of their lives in barren conditions, while forced to suffer extreme physical and psychological deprivation:

- Virtually 96 percent of these animals' lives are spent in chains or cages.



- They travel over long distances in box cars with no climate control; sleeping, eating, and defecating in the same cage.



- When allowed out, these animals are trained using extreme "discipline" such as whipping, hitting, poking, and shocking with electrical prods.



- Even though the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets minimum standards of care, most itinerary stops are not inspected.



Wild animal acts also pose a significant threat to public health and safety:



- Circus elephants may carry tuberculosis (TB), and can infect humans with the bacterial disease. Public records show that many circuses have used TB-positive elephants in public performances.



- Circuses are not required by law to carry emergency euthanasia equipment and local law enforcement agencies may be forced to deal with a loose animal.



- Since the 1990s circuses have been responsible for over 100 human injuries worldwide.



What You Can Do:



Circuses use pain, force, and fear to control animals. Please stay far away from Kelly Miller Circus and all others that use animals.



Source: http://www.peta.org/blog/deplorable-abuse-animals-circus/



Please tell everyone not to support any circus that uses animals, and not to support the upcoming Marcus Hook Circus on June 2nd!

Please sign this petition. Thank you so much!