Butte, Mont. – The United States Department of Agriculture cited the circus responsible for an incident where an elephant escaped and ran through Butte last month. The elephant, Viola, a 54-year-old Asian elephant, was getting a bath before her performance in the Carson & Barnes Circus when she was startled by a truck and escaped her handlers.
On May 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspected Viola and another elephant handled by Carson & Barnes in Wyoming. The inspection report noted no injuries on either of the elephants.
The handlers were cited for the incident in Butte, where Viola could have been injured or caused injury as she walked along the city street, according to the inspection report.
A press release from the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals mentioned that this citation is one of over 100 citations the circus has received for violating the federal Animal Welfare Act. It also highlighted that Viola has previously escaped her handlers twice before.
David Perle, the Media Division Senior Manager at PETA, stated that the USDA has not released additional information about any fees or further punishment the circus might face for the elephant escaping.
