Circus elephant dies in transport trailer
Albuquerque, NM (US)Incident Date: Monday, Jun 30, 1997
County: Bernalillo
Disposition: USDA Citation
Person of Interest: John Davenport
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
On August 27, 1997, the U.S. Department of Agriculture charged licensed animal exhibitor John Davenport, doing business as King Royal Circus in Von Ormy, Texas, with violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
"It appears that the death of Davenport's elephant Heather is a direct result of gross neglect," said Michael V. Dunn, USDA's assistant secretary for marketing and regulatory programs.
APHIS is seeking the permanent revocation of Davenport's license and has requested an expedited hearing on the matter. The case first came to light several weeks ago when a King Royal Circus elephant died in a transport trailer in Albuquerque, N.M. State and local officials confiscated the remaining animals (two elephants and eight llamas) and charged Davenport's employees with violating local animal cruelty laws. At a recent hearing held the city of Albuquerque was granted custody of the animals until a jury trial is held later in the year.
APHIS inspectors dispatched to the scene found that Davenport:
-- Failed to maintain programs of disease control and prevention, euthanasia, and adequate veterinary care under the supervision and assistance of a doctor of veterinary medicine and failed to provide urgently needed veterinary care to animals in immediate need of care;
-- Handled animals in a manner which caused trauma, overheating, behavioral stress, physical harm, and unnecessary discomfort;
-- Failed to keep and maintain complete records showing the acquisition, disposition, and identification of animals;
-- Transported live animals in a cargo space that was not designed, constructed, and maintained so as to provide necessary ventilation and to otherwise protect the health and ensure the safety and comfort of the animals it contained;
-- Transported animals that were in obvious physical distress;
-- Failed to ensure that the primary enclosures for animals contained clean litter of a suitable absorbent material, in sufficient quantity to absorb and cover excreta; and
-- Failed to provide elephants with food appropriate for that species.
"Treating animals in a manner that ultimately threatens their safety will not be tolerated," Dunn said. "We will continue to work closely with local officials to ensure that the animals in question receive the necessary care and that they are not put into further jeopardy.
Case UpdatesOct. 6, 1997--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's administrative hearing for King Royal Circus owner John Davenport begins today at 1:30 p.m.
The hearing will take place in Suite 4210 of the Albuquerque Federal Building at 517 Gold Avenue, S.W., and is open to the public. USDA public affairs officials will be both on-site and in Riverdale, Md., to answer questions and provide background information.
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking both civil penalties and the permanent revocation of Davenport's Animal Welfare Act license.
APHIS charged Davenport with alleged violations of the AWA on Aug. 22, citing deficiencies in the areas of handling and veterinary care. The allegations stem from Davenport's movement of three elephants and six llamas across the Southwestern United State in early August.
APHIS' animal care program, a part of its marketing and regulatory programs mission area, licenses animal exhibitors and dealers and registers research facilities, carriers, and handlers to ensure compliance with the AWA.
The AWA covers animals that are sold as pets at the wholesale level, transported in commerce, used for biomedical research, or used for exhibition purposes. | Source: Aphis/Usda - October 6, 1997
Update posted on May 14, 2006 - 7:09PM |
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