Circus Vargas

2437 Grand Ave. #150
Ventura Vista, CA 93003
USDA License #93-C-057

Circus Vargas 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 Circus Vargas numerous times for failing to provide shelter from the elements, veterinary care, medical records, and safe travel trailers. Two elephants who were leased from the Hawthorn Corporation by Circus Vargas died of a human strain of tuberculosis. Contact PETA for documentation.

June 5, 2001: A USDA inspector noted on an inspection report for Circus Vargas exhibitor Kenneth Arthurs that there were no documents giving the history, prognosis, and veterinary opinion for a zebu with a hesitation in gait.

October 25, 2000: Circus Vargas elephant exhibitor Kenneth Arthurs was cited by the USDA for failure to have a responsible person available to conduct an animal welfare inspection.

April 10, 2000: The USDA cited Circus Vargas elephant exhibitor Kenneth Arthurs for failure to provide adequate veterinary care. The inspector noted, "Elephant Lisa had scab over right eye. Records do not reflect sore, treatment, or cause. ... Same elephant has an abscess on right front foot. ... Results for 2000 tuberculosis tests not yet available."

June 16, 1999: Circus Vargas elephant exhibitor Kenneth Arthurs was cited by the USDA for failure to have a complete program of veterinary care.

April 30, 1998: Circus Vargas elephant exhibitor Kenneth Arthurs was cited by the USDA with failure to provide adequate veterinary care, have a current veterinary care program, and maintain records. The inspector wrote, "Elephant, Benny, needs routine foot care. Soles of feet are moderately cracked, pitted and pock-marked."

August 6, 1996: A 26-year-old elephant named Hattie, leased from the Hawthorn Corporation by Circus Vargas, was forced to give rides to children just prior to her death from tuberculosis, which took place while she was being transported from California to Illinois. Circus Vargas had decided to ship the sick elephant back to Hawthorn rather than provide veterinary care.

August 3, 1996: A 35-year-old elephant named Joyce, leased by Circus Vargas from the Hawthorn Corporation, gave rides to children until her death under anesthesia for a dental exam. She was anesthetized against the advice of a veterinarian who felt the procedure was too risky for an animal in such a debilitated state. Joyce was 1,000 pounds underweight and barely had enough strength to lift her trunk. Eighty percent of her lung tissue had been destroyed by tuberculosis.

August 1996: The Los Angeles Department of Health quarantined the animals of Circus Vargas due to the threat of tuberculosis spreading to humans and other animals.

June 1995: Circus Vargas was fined $625 by the USDA for failing to provide proper care for its animals, in violation of the AWA.

May 1995: According to Society, "When asked about drug use amongst the crew, one [member of Circus Vargas’ permanent tent crew] responds mordaciously, ‘Does Howdy Doody have freckles?’"

March 14, 1995: Circus Vargas was cited for failing to submit the required itinerary.

January 10, 1995: The USDA cited Circus Vargas for failure to have a program of veterinary care, provide shade for elephants (for the second time in two months), and maintain records of acquisition and disposition.

December 8, 1994: The USDA cited Circus Vargas for failure to provide veterinary care records to show that the animals had received fecal checks and tuberculosis tests, provide shade for the elephants, maintain transport vehicles, and maintain records of acquisition and disposition.

November 17, 1994: The USDA cited Circus Vargas for failure to maintain transport vehicles and submit the required itinerary.

October 20, 1994: The USDA cited Circus Vargas for failing to have an updated program of veterinary care.

February 1989: According to an inspection by the Humane Society in Ventura, Calif.,

• "Chimpanzees were in small cages, approximately 4 feet by 3 feet. We asked if the chimps had water. He [the owner] said they don’t like water. He refused to provide them with water. Some of the chimps were coughing and making wheezing sounds."
• "One mare had a huge wound on her breast that was oozing blood and pus."
• "The whole operation, including handling and the containment of the animals, was shoddy. I personally witnessed an elephant handler gouging his hook viciously into the legs and hips of two elephants. Then he took the heavy tether chain and whipped it around the elephants’ legs."
• "Neglect was apparent in the way the animals were handled."

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

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