Cole Brothers Circus Fined $160,000.

After four years of investigations and formal complaints by In Defense of Animals, Cole Brothers Circus has been ordered to cough up $160,000 for a major violation of the Endangered Species Act.

Cole Brothers Circus, and owner John Pugh, were caught selling endangered Asian elephants to trainer Will Davenport.  Without the necessary permit to do so, the sale was a direct violation of the Endangered Species Act and the elephants were seized by the USDA.

By the time the elephants were picked up they were both severely underweight and had foot abbesses and dental issues, injuries they were living with while performing in the circus for years.

Good to see major circus companies finally start having to pay (literally in this case) for the years for torment and misery they inflict on the animals in their care.

In Defense of Animals has filed another complaint against Cole Brothers for their treatment of big cats.  Hopefully this recent win can build up some much needed momentum.