Published: March 23, 2007 12:20 am      

Animal rights group asking cities to pass elephant rules

With the circus scheduled to come to two Hunt County cities, officials from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are asking officials in the communities to take action.

The Carson & Barnes Great American Circus is scheduled to make its annual pass through the county, with appearances scheduled March 28 in Commerce and April 4 in Greenville.

PETA sent two letters Wednesday —one to Commerce Mayor Sheryl Zelhart and the Commerce City Council and the other to Greenville Mayor Tom Oliver and the Greenville City Council — urging the cities to enact legislation to ban the use of bullhooks, electric prods, and other devices which PETA claims is used to inflict pain on elephants.

In the letters, Lisa Wathne, the organization’s Captive Exotic Animal Specialist, asked to meet with the mayors and councils in both cities about the proposed regulations.

Greenville City Secretary Debbie Newell said Thursday that the letter had been received, although the agenda for next Tuesday’s City Council session had already been compiled. It is the last regularly scheduled Council meeting until April 10.