Teen Wants to Ban Circus From Her Hometown

D E N V E R, July 5, 2004 -- Most kids look forward to the circus coming to town. But not 15-year-old Heather Herman.

"I think they are outdated and unnecessary," says the young activist from Denver. She says circuses are abusive to the animals.

The circus is a childhood institution that has been around in this country since the 18th century. But about 15 communities across the country have now either banned or restricted circuses that use animals.

Denver may join them this summer.

"It's not natural when you've got elephants standing on each other and tigers jumping through fiery hoops," says Herman, who founded a group called Youth Opposed to Animal Acts.

Herman is so serious about the issue that she collected more than 10,000 signatures on a petition, enough to put a measure on a Denver city ballot that would outlaw wild animal performances in the city.

Clown Testifies on Behalf of Circus

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is taking the challenge to heart. And so is the city council, televising a hearing that turned into, well, a circus.

Russell Scott, better known as local TV icon Blinky the Clown, testified on behalf of the circus.

"Don't tell me they don't take care of their animals," Scott said.

Ringling Bros. maintains its animals get more exercise and better food than they'd receive in a zoo.

"Our animals receive the best treatment of any animals anywhere in the world," said Ringling Bros. spokesman John Kirtland. "In fact, our animals are better taken care of than most people's pets."

The circus has been coming to Denver for 85 years. Banning it will not be easy.

"I think it's terrible. Why would somebody want to ban the circus from Denver?" asked one local resident.

Good for Economy but Bad for Animals?

"I kind of like it," said another resident. "I think it's good for the kids."

The circus also brings jobs and is good for the local economy.

Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown says the circus creates about 400 part-time jobs.

"They also buy their food here for the animals," he said. "And they spend a lot of money in Denver."

But Herman says that's not the issue.

"I want to see them in their natural habitat," she said, "not dressed up in a tutu riding a bicycle."

Denver voters will decide on Aug. 10 whether they want the circus to come to town, or whether the "Greatest Show on Earth" will be a no-show.

This report, by ABC News' Bill Redeker, originally aired on World News Tonight on June 21.