Circus Vazquez is scheduled to appear at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup May 16 to 20.

Last month, a tiger with the circus was attacked and killed by one or more of her cagemates after the circus left six tigers crammed together in one cage. This terrifying incident—which surely caused the tiger prolonged fear and suffering when she was unable to escape the mauling—was hardly surprising. Federal records reveal that Circus Vazquez has been cited numerous times by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for failing to provide adequate space for tigers.

Circus Vazquez is currently traveling with elephant handler Will Davenport. In the past year, the Davenport family has been repeatedly cited by the USDA for inhumane handling and failure to provide adequate care to three elephants, named Queenie, Tina and Jewel.  Last year, Tina and Jewel suffered such extreme weight loss that USDA ordered them off the road. In 1997, Heather, the Davenports' young African elephant, was found dead in a crowded, overheated trailer.

In 2001, Circus Vazquez was involved in smuggling an elephant into Mexico, and two elephants traveling with the circus rampaged through a church. The elephants nearly trampled two people, and they caused an estimated $75,000 in damages.

Please ask the fairgrounds to cancel Circus Vazquez's upcoming appearance immediately.