OJAI : Circus’s Handling of Animals Protested

A group of 17 animal rights activists protested the appearance of the Carson and Barnes traveling circus in Ojai on Sunday, saying it is cruel to remove wild animals from their natural habitats and train them to perform for human amusement.

Members of Animal Emancipation Inc. said they picketed near the circus in Ojai to call public attention to chains, hooks and electric prods often used to train wild animals.

Group members said they opposed all circus animal acts and singled out Carson and Barnes principally because it was appearing in the area.

The Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce sponsored the circus, which features 20 elephants and other exotic animals.

Denise Ford, spokeswoman for the animal rights group, said she believes that people will boycott performing animal circuses, “when they learn what goes on behind the scenes.”

The group, which displayed signs and passed out literature, plans to follow the circus to the Ventura County Fairgrounds today. Ford said the group will hold demonstrations today at 3:30 p.m. and at 7 p.m., an hour before the performances are scheduled to begin.