An animal handler was arrested at Sterling and Reed Brothers' circus in September 2002 after he was seen striking an elephant repeatedly with a stick, police said.
David A. Creech, 31, of Glendale, Ariz., was charged with three counts of animal cruelty, according to Norfolk police spokesman Chris Amos.
Amos said Creech hit the animal with a stick used to control the animal in circus shows. He said the elephant suffered several lacerations, some of which were still bleeding when police arrived on the scene.
The men were part of the Sterling and Reed Brothers circus performing at Norfolk's Scope arena.
Creech was released after posting $2,500 bond apiece. A court date has been set for Sept. 4 in District Court.
Case Updates| On October 18, 2002, a judge found Sterling & Reid's elephant handler, David Creech, guilty on three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. A fourth count was dismissed because it was not clear from eyewitness testimony which handler struck the elephant, named Joy, on the head. Joy was hit repeatedly with a sharp metal bullhook during elephant rides, leaving bloody wounds. Creech was fined $200 for each count. | Source: Circus News - 2002
Update posted on Dec 22, 2005 - 10:13PM |
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