Oscarian Bros. Circus

12123 Bay Tree Dr.
Riverview, FL 33569
USDA License #58-C-0193

Manuel Ramos has failed to meet minimal federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited Ramos for failure to provide veterinary care, proper handling, sanitary conditions, structurally sound enclosures, adequate shelter from the elements, and clean water and for failure to comply with food storage and feeding standards. Four big cats died after Ramos administered deworming medication without veterinary supervision. An African elephant named Kenya was found dead a few days after she attacked and killed a circus worker. The USDA has suspended Ramos’ license and issued a penalty for AWA violations. Florida Fish and Wildlife has charged Ramos with unsafe and unsupervised handling of an elephant and with failure to meet minimum caging requirements. Contact PETA for documentation.

August 16, 2000: Manuel Ramos was sentenced to one year of probation by a Hillsborough County judge for keeping big cats in cages that were too small and improperly handling an elephant who trampled Ramos’ sister to death. Ramos was also directed to pay several hundred dollars in investigation costs, cooperate with state and federal wildlife officials, and perform community service.

July 24, 2000: Lance Ramos (a.k.a. Lance Kollmann), the circus’ primary animal handler and son of Manuel Ramos, was denied a USDA permit to exhibit animals. The USDA stated in a letter to Kollmann, "You were responsible for or participated in violations that resulted in the revocation of Manuel Ramos’ USDA license."

July 5, 2000: The USDA permanently revoked Manuel Ramos’ license and allowed him two months to transfer all regulated animals to other facilities.

June 9, 2000: The USDA filed charges against Ramos for failure to properly restrain an elephant who contributed to a woman’s death and failure to prevent disease by not having elephant handlers tested for tuberculosis and not including camels and zebras in the required program of veterinary care.

February 11, 2000: Florida Fish and Wildlife charged Ramos with unsafe and unsupervised handling of wildlife after their elephant stomped a circus worker to death.

February 5, 2000: Kenya, the elephant, was found dead. Police suspected foul play.

January 26, 2000: A 4,500-pound female African elephant named Kenya attacked and killed circus worker Teresa Ramos. The 18-year-old elephant knocked her to the ground and stomped on her twice. The circus announced intentions to keep using Kenya in performances.

January 14, 2000: Ramos was charged by Florida Fish and Wildlife with failure to meet the state’s minimum caging requirements for exotic cats.

March 5, 1998: The USDA settled charges of violating the AWA. Ramos’ license was suspended for 30 days and he was assessed a civil penalty.

July 30, 1997: The USDA attempted an inspection. The facility, animals, and records were not available. The inspector observed improperly maintained enclosures.

May 7, 1996: A USDA inspector cited Ramos for failure to provide veterinary care. "The new lion cub: It has a 2"x3" abrasion on its forehead. Black leopard: Is slightly thin and has groomed the fur off its rump [a chronic problem believed to be caused by stress]. The new spotted jaguar: It exhibits very pronounced stereotyped pacing."

Ramos was cited again for failure to maintain enclosures, sanitary conditions, and records of acquisition and disposition.

February 29, 1996: The USDA attempted an inspection. The circus was on tour and failed to supply the required itinerary.

January 3, 1996: Ramos was cited for failure to provide veterinary care to injured animals. The jaguar had a 2-inch-wide abrasion and necrotic tissue on the neck from a chain that was too tight. The inspector also found abrasions on the animal’s head, legs, and nose. A black leopard had tail wounds and was limping.

The USDA cited Ramos for failure to properly handle the exotic cats. The jaguar had suffered trauma, harm, and lesions from being improperly restrained.
Ramos was cited for failure to repair enclosures, maintain sanitary conditions, and provide records of acquisition and disposition.

November 21, 1994: The USDA cited Ramos for failure to provide veterinary care records, as well as failure to provide clean water and sanitary conditions.

October 13, 1994: The USDA cited Ramos for failure to provide records of veterinary care and a veterinary care program.

October 18, 1994: The USDA attempted an inspection. The circus was on tour and was cited for failure to provide access to the inspector.

June 21, 1994: The USDA cited Ramos for failure to provide an elephant with shelter from the elements.

March 26, 1994: The USDA cited Ramos for failure to provide a program of veterinary care.

October 25, 1993: The USDA cited Ramos for failure to maintain a structurally sound enclosure for an elephant, properly store food, provide animals with clean food and water, maintain perimeter fencing, and provide sanitary conditions.

1989-1993: The USDA conducted five investigations that resulted in citations. The violations included failure to provide veterinary care and a veterinary care program. In one case, four big cats died from deworming medication that was given without a veterinarian’s supervision. Ramos was also cited for failure to comply with food storage and feeding standards, and improper disposal of dead animals.

For more information, contact:

PETA
501 Front St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-622-7382

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