Activists Want Circus Permit Denied

Saying that Circus Vargas mistreats animals and neglects their medical care, half a dozen residents have asked the City Council to deny the show a permit to perform in Huntington Beach in May.

At this week’s council meeting, volunteer Jane Garrison of Irvine-based Orange County People for Animals showed photographs of two ailing elephants who died of tuberculosis last year after Circus Vargas’ Los Angeles-area performances.

She said infected animals could spread the disease to humans and said that most circus elephants are trained through abuse and cruelty, which could lead to a rampage.

Huntington Beach resident Anita Carswell read the council a list of violations cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture against the circus.

Rolanda Kaiser, marketing director for the circus, said Tuesday that the organization no longer patronizes the trainer who rented out the sick pachyderms.

“Had we been found doing anything wrong last year, I don’t think the USDA would have given us permits to have a full petting zoo this year,” she said.

City Community Services Director Ron Hagan said his department is reviewing the circus’ permit request, which is usually granted if a show has USDA approval.

Mayor Ralph Bauer said: “We do need to urge whoever has the authority over the health and welfare of these animals to take a good hard look at it.”

Garrison said the company “could have a wonderful circus without animals. Look at Cirque du Soleil,” a reference to the world-famous Canadian acrobatic troupe now performing in Costa Mesa.

Kaiser said that when Circus Vargas performed without exotic animals in 1994, patrons complained and asked that the elephants be brought back.