THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, February 21, 1996           TAG: 9602210004
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A10  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   47 lines

CIRCUS ANIMALS AND THEIR CARE DEFENDED

As a corporate officer at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey - and as a parent and grandparent - I was dismayed to read the letter from 6-year-old Dorian Reyes on the care and treatment of performing animals.

It is apparent that Dorian and his classmates have been targeted by one of the activist groups like PETA. Their tactics are alarmist and littered with unsubstantiated allegations and misrepresentations which prey on the emotions of young children. The ultimate message is total opposition to the use of animals for food, clothing, medical research, entertainment. Many even oppose animals as pets.

Acceptance of the animal-rights agenda can have serious ramifications. Research that groups like PETA oppose has saved thousands from debilitating and often fatal childhood diseases such as polio and provides the most promise in the search for a cure for AIDS and cancer. It has also played a prominent role in agriculture and in improving the health and welfare of animals themselves.

We at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate and set the record straight. For more than 126 years, Ringling Bros. has cared for and worked with exotic animals and has come to be regarded as expert in the field of animal husbandry and captive-breeding.

Typical Ringling Bros. acts are designed to duplicate each animal's natural movements, and all training is done through positive reinforcement - a method which requires mutual respect and trust between trainer and animals. None of our animals are defanged or declawed, and the use of drugs is prohibited except as prescribed by our full-time veterinarian.

In response to recent protests by activists at local elementary schools, we extended an invitation to several elementary-school classes to attend an open training session so that the students themselves can witness the very special relationship that develops when humans and animals live and work together.

ANDY IRELAND

Senior vice president

Corporate animal policy & development

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

Vienna, Feb. 15, 1996 by CNB