Feld avoids the spotlight during Ringling trial
Editor's Note: Former KTVU anchor Leslie Griffith, who has covered Ringling Bros for years and was profiled in the Guardian for her work, is covering the elephant abuse trial in Washington DC.
By Leslie Griffith
Kenneth Feld, the sole owner of Feld Entertainment and Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus did not appear in U.S Federal Court yesterday. Buying his way out of trouble is a way of life for Ken Feld, but this time, he just may be trapped.
These animal rights people are not clowning around. Many of us in the courtroom craned our curious necks to get a glimpse of him, but he ditched us, just like my big brother used to ditch me when a pretty-willing date was waiting. Yep, Feld stayed true to his reclusive reputation and played the role he always plays, the illusive circus master who calls the moves behind the scenes.
Still, in true P.T Barnum fashion, the sleight of hand and manipulation of words got precision delivery on his behalf. In the first few hours of the trial, some of the most famous and expensive mouthpieces money can buy sang the praises of Ringling Bros. Circus and its treatment of endangered Asian elephants. An entourage of Fulbright and Jaworski attorneys turned a weapon of torture, “The Bull Hook,” used by Ringling handlers with reckless disregard against the endangered Asian elephants, into a harmless sounding “guide.” Advocate (one who speaks for those who often cannot speak for themselves) became a dirty word. A world-renowned elephant expert who testified today was accused of advocating for the elephants. Imagine speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. How dare she!
As seeds of doubt were sown by the high-powered defense attorneys, the plaintiff’s attorney scorched the earth with a DVD disc and a finger--- pressing play. The video, appearing on the plasma court televisions, was in some cases heart breaking and in others horrifying.
For Dr. Joyce Poole, who was the first expert witness of the trial and has studied elephants her entire life, watching Ringling’s handlers was a little like watching a horrible atrocity being committed. “This is America,” She pleaded with the federal judge. “These animals should not be chained 20 hours a day, beaten with bull hooks and forced to perform these un-natural acts. They are extremely intelligent creatures, they mourn their dead, they use tools, they help their friends up when they are ill, they are extremely social.” At one point, while watching Feld Entertainment video of an Asian elephant “Shirley” giving birth, (Shirley’s named after Kenneth Feld’s aunt who raise him after his mother committed suicide) Dr. Poole choked up.
“In the wild it’s a matriarchal system. The women teach the mother how to deliver a baby; they stroke it and talk to it for months. What you saw there is very un-natural.” Dr. Poole shook her small frame and head at the same time while watching the repugnance on the screen. “Ringling immediately takes the baby away from the mother, according to attorney Katherine Meyer, and the bonding process never takes place.”
This has been an almost surreal process for me. After 10 years of waiting, Kenneth Feld just a week before this trial settled an obstruction of justice lawsuit filed by a journalist. It was a strong case and put on display the lengths to which Kenneth Feld resorts in order to protect what he considers his “all American” reputation. That journalist wrote things Feld found offensive. His former chief financial officer turned on him, revealing a plot of deceit and a slew of private investigators who set out to ruin her career. The story reads like a John Le Carre spy novel. Feld employed former CIA deputy director of covert operations for the CIA Clair George for a little hanky-panky—and the circus act began, Tah-dah!
Kenneth Feld is no fellow we journalists want to piss off. As a fledgling journalist, Finley Peter Dunne taught us at one time that our job was to “Afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.” But, that’s not the way the job is allowed to work much anymore. Not if you want to keep it. The journalist whose career lay in ruins asked for dozens of millions in damages and that (I’m told behind the scenes) is pretty much what she got. About $30 million according to one insider here in Washington D.C.
Beyond all that, I still cannot get over feeling as if those involved in this case are yelling “A tree’s on fire, a trees on fire!” when the whole forest if burning. Tuberculosis was mentioned just one time during opening arguments in the trial. Most, if not all of Kenneth Feld’s performing endangered elephants have had Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. At least as many as 26 have died over the last 15 years with necropsies indicating most had tuberculosis and in some cases never knew it.
I cannot stop thinking about little kids and old or sick circus patrons with compromised immune systems sitting “Under the Big Top” eating cotton candy and getting exposed to TB. The stories of TB cases rising inundate newspapers, and it’s a fact, elephants and humans have the same type of TB and it can be transmitted to humans.
Now that story includes most of the deadly sins: Lust (for power) gluttony (over indulgence), greed, sloth, envy and pride.
That’s the big picture I see. Tah Dah! And on with the show.
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Comments (20)
This trial is bogus and a waste of time and money. Ringling Bros. spend millions of dollars a year to care for their animals. They have a retirement center for retired elephants - Who can say that??? The elephants are treated like royalty. Ringling Bros. has been in business for over 30 years, you don't come that far and be successful by mistreating animals. The company consists of over 2000 employees and how many employees of the circus are coming with this complaint? One? Two? Out of 2000?
Posted by Circus Family | February 5, 2009 06:29 PM
Thank God for at least one courageous employee willing to go the distance for the animals. So many others are too afraid for those jobs to speak out. Tom Rider has been living in a van for the last eight years, yet Ringling has the nerve to claim he is "in it for the money." Well, there is someone who is doing what he does for money, and his name is KENNETH FELD.
Posted by RowanM | February 5, 2009 07:20 PM
Thank you so much for reporting this trial. This will NOT get much coverage as Feld Entertainment is too powerful. Try going to see the elephants when they are not performing at Ringling. You will be surrounded by bootjacked, Blackwater types who will march you away in a minute. They have plenty to hide, and refuse to compromise from using their ancient, and cruel methods to force these (and other wild animals) to perform.
Posted by C. Pierson | February 5, 2009 08:02 PM
Thank you for saying it like it is! It took 10 years to settle an obstruction of justice case and now more than a lifetime for many abused elephants to get their proper day in court and hopefully get the justice they so rightfully deserve. And thank you Dr. Poole and Tom Rider and everyone else who testifies on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. I hope that Feld's dirty little secrets finally see the light of day--for they will shock and amaze the public, that is for sure...
Posted by poor Shirley | February 5, 2009 08:04 PM
Ringling Bros Circus thinks they can buy their way out of anything. Sadly, it seems this Ken Feld has been able to do this to date. High-priced attorneys who are willing to lie -- and I'm sure we'll hear all the liars come forward who think using a bullhook is a joy to elephants. Right - elephants love the bullhook and chains -- did you know slaves loved chains too? Doesn't everyone want their own chains - so they can be locked up against their will? If nothing else Ringling and Ken Feld prove that many folks will do anything for a buck. Hopefully the judge will not believe their lies. Is beating and chaining elephants a form of causing harm, wounding or harrassing an elephant? If so, the elephants should win this case - as the Endangered Species Act is designed specifically to protect Asian elephants. It's time we protect Asian elephants in the U.S. This court case will be a step in the right and moral direction.
Posted by Angie | February 5, 2009 08:12 PM
"Ringling Bros. has been in business for over 30 years, you don't come that far and be successful by mistreating animals."
This is something we hear time and again from animal abusers of all stripes - as if the system is not very clearly set up to reward the abuse of animals. Of course you succeed in the animal-exploiting business by mistreating animals. Simply by imprisoning them you're mistreating them - everything else is gravy (and yes, there's plenty of that gravy).
Let's open a "retirement center" for the nonsensical argument that animal profiteers are nice to animals because it's in their own interest. People like Feld couldn't care less about animals' suffering and don't have to, because the system is set up to cloak their abuse of animals and reward them for causing continual pain and misery.
Posted by feldspar | February 5, 2009 08:35 PM
Well stated Leslie, thanks for standing up for what is right and not being intimidated by the power that Feld thinks it has over us
Posted by Paul | February 5, 2009 09:05 PM
I seemed to have read about this in Psych 101, circus family, and it's called "the bystander effect". I'm sure it's absolutely possible for 2000 people to look the other way because they feel powerless. It's no secret that Ringling Brothers can buy there way out of situations. Maybe the fear of losing your jobs or an extra bonus in your paycheck does the trick. Then again, some of you claim to be "animal trainers" and forget that these intelligent beings are in a forced situation that is unnatural for them so just hit them with a bull hook and on with the show. Wow, this is beginning to sound familiar, huh? This is just another form of slavery and its always easier to afford a living on another's pain and suffering. You should all be ashamed of yourselves because you chose your profession. You can leave if you choose, the elephants can't.
Posted by Lisa | February 6, 2009 10:13 AM
Hey, Feldspar... did you ever pay attention in history class? Animal welfare may not be at the top of the agenda for everyone but I'll forgive you for being so ignorant to think that money is not being made off the suffering of others right now in the United States. Just because something exists for a period of time doesn't mean that it's right or for the greater good. It's what happens after the show and before it that circus goers don't see. When was the last time you checked with a circus elephant to make sure it was having a good time?
Posted by Lisa | February 6, 2009 10:40 AM
Circuses and zoos have been given a pass far too long. The Dept. of the Interior and USDA have been unwilling to enforce federal animal welfare laws in regards to these industries' dirty little secrets. In my opinion, we need "citizen suit provisions" in the Animal Welfare Act and also the Endangered Species Act if it does not have one. One of the biggest problems in seeking relief in court for the animals has been the lack of legal standing by statute. In regards to the facts presented at trial so far please know that a bullhook is made for one purpose, to inflict physical pain on an elephant. Chaining them is like torture for an elephants. This modern day slavery must be ended. Let it end here and now!!!! Thank you, Joyce Poole, for helping the Ringling victims.
Posted by MissPosh | February 6, 2009 04:30 PM
Feld's "Conservation Center" is a breeding farm to make more income producing elephants. Ringling is still taking babies from their mothers, training them with bullhooks to perform unnatural tricks, and chaining them to a lifetime of slavery to the entertainment business, riding from town to town in railway cars standing in their own excrement..
I challenge anyone to take a close look at the circus when it comes to your town---follow the animals from the travel trains to the parking lots where they stand chained until performance time, day after day, year after year, until a lifetime is used up...Bring your binoculars to watch how the elephants are treated behind the scenes...You wouldn't subject your family dog to this lifelong paralyzing abuse...
Much Praise to Joyce Poole, Tom Rider, and all those who have the courage to stand on the side of these wonderful elephants.
Posted by Kay S. | February 6, 2009 08:52 PM
Circuses are archaic and should be outlawed. Forcing wild animals to perform stupid tricks is demeaning both to them and to the paying audience.
Understanding that cruel punishment and torture is used in training settles it!
Posted by Carolyn | February 7, 2009 03:23 PM
It is long overdue that the cruelty in circuses was finally exposed and punished in a court of law. Animal cruelty is a crime no matter if it is a thug beating his dog in the street or a multimillion dollar circus company beating elephants as part of 'training'
Elephants do not belong in the circus, they are not performing animals. They are not indigenous to America, they are not part of our culture!
Most of Europe has now banned performing animals and so should America. I really think in a few years time we will look back on all this and wonder how on earth such cruetly was allowed to go on unpunished for so long.
This trial is so vital, the cruelty and vile nature of the circus must stop.
Posted by Elizabeth Clayton | February 7, 2009 05:14 PM
It's about time and long overdue that the cruelty in circuses was finally exposed. Circuses are archaic and should be outlawed. No animal should be forced to perform in public so someone can gain wealth. There are so many other circuses without animals that actually teach children to respect our fellow living beings. FELD should be put on public display if you ask me.. No matter what they say - keeping these Elephants tied up and confined is not humane. Please open your hearts and get out there and fight for these beautiful animals...
Posted by Ann Cornejo | February 8, 2009 03:38 PM
Ringling Brothers is a complete sham!
They have lied to the public for years & tortured animals in the name "entertainment". It's time they are brought to justice!
Posted by Shauna Saling | February 10, 2009 12:36 PM
I hope Ringling Brothers' elephants are taken from them! For anyone who has not seen the typical 'training methods' of circus elephants, please visit www.circuses.com.
I, too, remember going to the circus and seeing performing elephants when I was younger. However, now, I am a strong advocate against circuses with animals. They are cruel and unnecessary in today's society, where children don't need to see animals doing unnatural, dangerous tricks to learn to appreciate them.
Ringling is like Hell on Earth for captive elephants. It's "The Most Abusive Show on Earth!"
Posted by Niki | February 10, 2009 03:29 PM
In elephant society, SIZE MATTERS. The matriarch in a herd will be the biggest (intelligence matters, too), the largest, strongest mature bulls are the only ones the females will allow to mate with them. Common sense then tells us that the only way a puny, scrawny little human can get a 10,000 lb. elephant to stand on her head, sit up and beg, dance around while balanced on a tiny little stool and all the other degrading stunts they are forced to do, is by beating the hell out of them and doing it constantly. That actually is a quote by a famous circus elephant trainer. Do you really think they are trained to do these confusing, unnatural, painful tricks with treats and a clicker and a pat on the head? Do you really think they enjoy being loaded into boxcars and chained, and according to Ringling's own records, for up to 20 hours a day, and some cases 60-80 hours per trip? Do you really believe Ringling when they say their elephants enjoy performing for 50 weeks a year? Every captive animal thinks of only one thing and one thing only, escape. These elephants lives are Hell.
Posted by Eden Courtney | February 10, 2009 08:23 PM
Want to get active against Ringling when they come to your town? Email DavidS@peta.org for protest materials, leaflets, DVD's and everything you need to let this cruel company know that they're not welcome in your area.
Posted by David | February 18, 2009 09:25 AM
Does anyone actually believe that elephants sneezing in an arena is causing TB in humans? Leslie Griffiths has made it clear she is a complete nutjob craving attention (if you look closely into why she was so precipitously canned from KTVU, you may find a different story than the one she purports.) But why Steven T. Jones has picked up this refrain is another question. Those of us who have bothered to actually look behind the scenes have found that Ringling trainers spend their days and nights caring for animals as if they were their own children. The elephants are NOT tethered 20 hours a day -- go check it out the next time the circus is in town. They are given more attention, play time and care than most family pets. With hundreds of dogs and cats put to death daily, why are activists wasting time on this issue? Walk down to your local ASPCA and do some real good.
Posted by Kathy | June 5, 2009 02:02 PM
Kathy, You obviously haven't read the evidence that submitted at the trial this year. Why don't you come back after you've read the court documents before you start making absolute statements such as, "The elephants are NOT tethered 20 hours a day" for which you know absolutely NOTHING about.
How many loving parents do you know that use bullhooks to dominate their children and pets??? Circus animals perform out of fear. Haven't you noticed they always have a bullhook slightly hidden in their hand(s)? Why, because elephants will not perform the types of tricks they perform for the mere love of a few apples. THINK ABOUT IT.
What, you looked through a fence for 10 minutes and saw a delightful scene so now you can make the firm conclusion about the treatment of the elephants? Just what exactly do you think they do with 8000lb elephants when they are not performing?! Run around freely in chain-linked areas? Roam the arenas? They are tethered for at the very least 20 hours on travel cars alone, STANDING IN THEIR EXCREMENT, some documents stated for at least 100 hours. 100 HOURS!!!!
Do your research before you help perpetuate ignorance.
Posted by Tamra | June 26, 2009 09:54 AM