July 2006
Activist attacked at circus
An animal rights campaigner who was trying to obtain evidence of the welfare of an elephant at Circus Sydney was attacked by the animal’s handler in front of the audience in Booterstown, Dublin.
The Daily Mail reported that the campaigner from the Captive Animals' Protection Society (CAPS) claims she was assaulted by the man “who wanted to confiscate her camera after she was spotted taking pictures of an elephant which she believed was being ill-treated.”
She was treated at St Vincent’s Hospital for an injury to her hand.
The male African elephant, named Max, has a deformed rear leg but is made to perform tricks in the ring, including lifting people on his tusks.