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Animal rights activists protest circus in Elk Grove Village

Animal rights supporters picketed Tuesday night outside the traveling Kelly Miller Circus in Elk Grove Village to object to the circus' treatment of animals.

A group of some 30 Elk Grove residents and representatives of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals held signs and handed out pamphlets as circusgoers headed to two shows on the grounds of the former Lively Junior High School on Leicester Road, south of Biesterfield Road.

Karen Stramaglio, an Elk Grove Village resident who organized the protest, pointed to a number of abuse accusations the Kelly Miller Circus have faced over the years. The same accusations are listed on a PETA fact sheet protesters handed out on site.

For instance, in 2005, PETA says the circus was cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for failing to provide veterinary care to an elephant who had a puncture wound in her ear.

In 2001, PETA says the circus was cited when a chimpanzee was kept in a small cage and temperatures reached 95 degrees. Also that year, three bears were found malnourished and with bloody paws after pacing across fiberglass flooring.

“When the lights go off and we leave here tonight, I think of them. They're shackled, chained, isolated and confined,” Stramaglio said. “I don't believe animals should be in captivity.”

Tavana Brown, the circus' office manager, said she wouldn't respond to accusations before 2007, when a new owner, John Ringling North II, took over. She said the circus is governed by rules and regulations set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which conducts random inspections from time to time. All animals in the circus — including camels, elephants, tigers and zebras — are evaluated by a veterinarian every month. All necessary state and local permits are secured before the circus comes to town, she said.

“We believe because we live in the United States people have the right to voice their opinion. We believe in having animals in our circus and take great responsibility in how we handle them and treat them,” Brown said. “It's unfortunate they accuse us of abusing animals because there's no such thing.”

The circus was sponsored by the Elk Grove Village Lions Club, which gets a portion of proceeds from ticket sales. Club President Richard Keyworth suggested the idea to his fellow club members.

“We were looking for fundraisers, which at this point are very difficult for nonprofit service groups. It's very hard to find money,” Keyworth said. “Kelly Miller has an outstanding reputation. John Ringling — we're personal friends. I know people on the circus. I find them to be very honest, talented people. The livestock is in outstanding condition. There's not a mark on any of these animals. Unfortunately, I don't agree with what PETA has to say.”

“There's been abuses some place probably,” Keyworth added. “(But) I think there's a lot more abused kids out there.”

The Kelly Miller Circus has been in Elk Grove before, sponsored by the District 59 Education Foundation for about five years starting in 2006, according to Janice Krinsky, the school board vice president and one-time foundation chair.

“It was very well-run. They took care of their animals and made sure the acts they contracted with took care of their animals,” Krinsky said. “To me, my love of animals was fostered to my exposure of them at zoos and circuses.”

Keyworth said it was likely the Lions Club would ask the circus to come back next year.

  Karen Stramaglio of Elk Grove Village holds a sign Tuesday night during a protest of the Kelly Miller Circus. Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
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