PETA just got heads up from a whistleblower that elephant trainer Joe Frisco Jr. was attacked by an elephant belonging to Ringling. The attack allegedly took place while Ringling was performing in Miami on or around January 7. The whistleblower reported that Frisco's injuries were severe enough to send him to the hospital and that he may have spent three to four days recovering. The source claims that Frisco "has been pounding" on the elephant, who is believed to be a 5½-year-old male named P.T
As you know, Joe Frisco Jr. is the brother of Tim Frisco, also an elephant trainer, who was caught on tape viciously beating elephants with steel-tipped bullhooks for the Carson & Barnes Circus. The Friscos learned their trade from their father, who was also a Ringling trainer.
Of course, Ringling is denying the attack by issuing a statement on Wednesday stating that Frisco "received minor injuries after falling while walking with a juvenile elephant in the elephant barn in Miami."
I have fallen several times throughout my life - some pretty bad falls while walking, but none that sent me to the hospital or required a three to four day recovery. So personally, if Frisco is not a soft shell, fragile man, (which he is not) I think Ringling is trying to cover up their abusive habits that caused P.T. to fight back and hurt Joe Frisco jr.
I am sorry to hear that Joe got hurt. I would never wish any harm to him or the other Ringling animal (abusers) handlers but I do hope Joe thinks hard about why P.T. may have ran toward him like a freight train and pinned him to a trailer (according to an informed source). I hope he learns that when you hit an elephant long enough, he or she is going to hit back.
The PETA press release said it best, "Elephants who are routinely abused in circuses become ticking time bombs. The beatings lead to attacks, and the attacks lead to more beatings. This is not the first time that PETA has received a report that an elephant attacked a Ringling trainer, and it probably won't be the last."
Leave a comment