press releases

Using Press Releases to Raise Awareness

Press releases and news tips, in addition to letters to editors, can be very effective ways to raise awareness in any part of the campaign to ban circus animals.

If a circus is coming to your town, you can send out a press release protesting it or if you are working to help a specific individual such as Lota, you can send out press releases about the campaign.

When sending press releases, always be sure to include only fact-based information. Generally commentary information is reserved until a contact has been made.

Always be sure and include your contact information, in case the media has questions for you. If you wish to remain anonymous, still send your contact info to them, but if they contact you, you can tell them you do not wish to be quoted.

Local newspapers, radio stations and televised news programs are always a good source to raise awareness whether it be locally or nationally. A list of general media sources is listed on this site.

PRESS RELEASE
HEADLINE: PETITION FOR LOTA THE ELEPHANTS REACHES 4000!
A PUBLIC OUTCRY for 53-year-old elephant LOTA, is being heard all over the United States! More than 4000 tax-paying voters have petitioned to retire the sick, elderly circus elephant named LOTA from Hawthorn Corp., a well-known abusive company owned by renowned Chicago businessman John F. Cuneo.
53-year-old Lota lived alone in the Milwaukee Zoo for more than 30 years. Despite a public outcry in 1990, the zoo donated her to Hawthorn where her life became worse. The public watched while Lota was beaten onto a trailer when she fell and urinated blood. The USDA did nothing. Lota suddenly had to endure pain, perform and even caught a human strain of Tuberculosis in the Hawthorn factory where it is reported that several of the workers also tested positive for TB. She is being treated with medication only so that she can keep performing even though she is the equivalent of a 85-year-old lady.
Cuneo was fined previously for several charges on Lota's treatment.
Public pressure against the USDA to retire Lota and take action against Cuneo is building at a fantastic rate.
Juhn F. Cuneo poses as a philanthropist yet he states "These elephants have to work [as slaves] for a living, if they are costing me money, they are no good to me."
Cuneo has been charged with violating the Animal Welfare Act numerous times by "using physical abuse to train, handle, and work an elephant, causing physical harm and discomfort, failing to provide veterinary care to an emaciated elephant (Lota), an elephant's suffering with severe chemical burns and a bacterial infection, several elephants with potentially deadly foot problems, unsafe public contact," and more.
Some protesters feel that after being fined over $72,000, it almost seems that John Cuneo, his trainers and facility are an asset to the USDA. As long as he is violating the Animal Welfare Act, he pays fines so the United States government is making money off Hawthorn.
Cuneo has already paid over $72,000 in fines and is currently facing two more lawsuits.
With over 4000 supporters, a council for Lota's retirement and a petition growing at a rapid rate, it wont be long before the public outcry is heard.

More info: www.elephants.com/lota.htm, www.circuses.com,
Council for Lota's Retirement: land@writeme.com
See Lota at Hawthorn, chained to concrete, emaciated with only a ration of food: http://www.bornfree.org.uk/images/lota2.jpg

Contact info: