Elephant activists to picket circus

SACRAMENTO, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Elephant activists suing Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus say they'll picket this week's show at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif.

"If people knew what went on behind the big top, they should be outraged about the cruelty that goes on," said Nicole Paquette, spokeswoman for the animal welfare group Born Free U.S.A.

Born Free U.S.A. is one of four plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit against the circus scheduled to begin Oct. 20 in Washington, D.C., the Sacramento (Calif.) Bee reported Thursday.

Circus officials dismiss the plaintiffs' contention that their treatment of the elephants is cruel and should be considered a violation of the Endangered Species Act. Ringling Bros. maintains it adheres to animal welfare laws and has no record of harming its elephants.