PETA claims Pennsylvania zoo is mistreating elephants
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has filed a complaint against the Pittsburgh Zoo for its use of dogs to help control elephants.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has filed a complaint against the Pittsburgh Zoo for its use of dogs to help control elephants.
Because the Pennsylvania Game Commission has no jurisdiction over zoos, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is reviewing the complaints, which claim the use of dogs to herd elephants is cruel to the elephants. PETA says the dogs scare the elephants and nip at the elephants' legs.
Pittsburgh zoo officials, however, tell a different story. "Both the dogs and elephants are working well together, and the dogs have been a wonderful addition to our program," said zoo spokeswoman Tracy Gray.
Gray said the zoo introduced two Australian cattle dogs to the elephant program three years ago.