PETA protests Glendale elephant float

GLENDALE, Calif., Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Officials in Glendale, Calif., are working on ways to make their circus elephant float for the Rose Bowl Parade less obnoxious to animal rights activists.

The float features an elephant -- manufactured -- pulling a carriage. While no living elephants will be harmed when the float travels through Pasadena on New Year's Day, members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals say it glorifies the exploitation of animals in the circus, the Glendale News-Press reported.

PETA members demonstrated Tuesday outside the Glendale city council meeting, holding signs with slogans like "Circuses Are No Fun For Animals."

Mayor Laura Friedman suggested making the elephant a wild one, and Councilman Rafi Manoukian said the float could carry a sign opposing the use of elephants in circuses. Councilman Dave Weaver, on the other hand, said the float design is a closed issue and the council should just stay out of it.

Glendale's float was made possible this year, in a time of straitened municipal finances, by large donations from business owners.