Tampa General Hospital Promoting Circus
A NIGHT AT THE CIRCUS
This past weekend, Tampa General Hospital hosted its 21st annual “Night at the Circus,” a fundraising event held in conjunction with Ringling Brother’s Barnum & Bailey Circus.
This went on though major newspapers around the country are speaking out against the inherent abuse in circuses. 29 countries around the world have passed complete or partial bans on wild animals in circuses and local municipalities are joining the movement. Nationally, Congress is considering passage of the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act, banning exotics from circuses. And yet, TGH still clings to this archaic tradition of raising money – literally – on the backs of circus animals.
Shouldn’t Tampa’s premiere hospital, a health care institution that cares about the health and well-being of humans, also show compassion about the health and well-being of animals, too?
Tampa General Hospital is the primary teaching hospital in the bay area. We would hope they would teach what is merciful, rather than just what is financially lucrative. Moving forward, the hospital’s reputation can’t help but be tarnished by its continued affiliation with Ringling, a corporation that recently paid the largest fine in history for alleged violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
If you’ve ever been a patient at TGH, if you’re a doctor, nurse, or health care worker at TGH, if you have connections, business or personal, with TGH, then your opinion matters most. Won’t you please take a moment to let TGH know how disappointed you are about their affiliation with Ringling? Contact email addresses are listed below for you.
With your help, we are hoping there won’t be a 22nd annual “Night at the Circus.” The animals, who have no voice, thank you for taking a moment to speak up for them.
Ron Hytoff, Tampa General Hospital – President and CEO: rhytoff@tgh.org
Robin DeLaVergne, Tampa General Hospital Foundation – Executive Director: rdelavergne@tgh.org
Tampa Tribune Letter to the Editor:
St Pete Times Letter to the Editor: http://www.sptimes.com/letters/
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Pulitzer Prize winning author, Deborah Nelson’s, expose about Ringling – The Cruelest Show on Earth
LA TIMES Long Overdue Bill in Congress Would Ban Them From Traveling Circuses
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-ringling-20111202,0,3966587.story?track=rss
HUFFINGTON POST Ringling Brothers Agree To USDA Fine For Allegedly Violating Animal Welfare Act http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/28/ringling-bros-feld-fined-usda-animal-welfare_n_1117584.html
LA TIMES SUPPORTS TEAPA End the Circus of Cruelty
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/18/opinion/la-oe-kirk-elephants-20111218
WASHINGTON POST Bob Barker testifies before Congress on behalf of TEAPA
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/bob-barker-jim-moran-fight-for-circus-animals-scrap-with-ringling-bros-owner-ken-feld/2011/11/02/gIQAETqUgM_blog.html
Comprehensive coverage with links to many articles concerning TEAPA: http://federalcircusbill.com/news.php
Negative Press about Ringling’s appearance in Tampa:
Just this week, Margate, FL passed a ban on tools of the trade that will, essentially, prevent circuses from coming to their town:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/margate/fl-margate-circus-brf-20120101,0,3973648.story
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2011/12/animal_rights_cole_brothers_cricus_margate_florida.php
