Runaway Circus Zebra Put Down

(AP)  A 12-year-old circus zebra that caused a stir when he escaped and ran through downtown Atlanta last month has been euthanized.

A statement posted on Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey's Web site says veterinarians were unable to repair the animal's hooves, which were damaged when he sprinted through the city.

The zebra named Lima led his trainers and police on a 40-minute chase Feb. 18. Police eventually helped capture the animal on an interstate.

Spokeswoman Crystal Drake says the circus decided to euthanize the animal after weighing his prospects for a comfortable life - not his ability to perform in the future.

Ringling Bros. says it has worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to review policies and ensure no other animals flee.

Lima the Zebra was first spotted around 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2010, in downtown Atlanta. The animal made its way through downtown to the interstate highway that cuts through the center of the city. Police cruisers blocked off all southbound lanes and were able to herd the zebra over to the right shoulder and off an entrance ramp.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus was in town for the week. The circus also had a group of elephants corralled Thursday in a downtown Atlanta parking lot.

[Ellie_Mom]

Lima?s death is another reason why Wild Zebras & Elephants shouldn?t be in traveling Circuses, living in boxcars, then they are corralled on asphalt parking lots and herded down city streets to the arena. Ringling statement about the escape, ?This rarely happens,? this is the 4th time in 3 years. 4/10/08 Ringling cited by USDA, Inspector noted that on 3/20/2008, two zebras on the Red Unit exited from a partially open roll-up door. 3/20/08 three of the zebras who had previously escaped in 2007 from Ringling broke free from their enclosure. The animals wandered into traffic lanes before being corralled. (Baltimore Sun). 6/15/07 In Colorado 7 zebras & horses from Ringling escape from their handlers, the animals run onto a road next to the Interstate for 30 minutes. (AP) Feld Entertainment says we put on the, ?Greatest Show on Earth? so there is no reason why they can?t entertain the public with People Performers instead of Wild animals that they must abuse and beat to train them to perform. This solution would remedy the inhumane treatment of these Wild animals and the Circus could go on with People Performances. http://www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com/bound-babies.asp

[ToolMangler1]

Why is it that we have compassion for animals that may have pain if they are allowed to live, but Cancer victims and other people inflicted with painful, debilitating Diseases must suffer untold pain until they expire on their own. They are not even permitted to end their own suffering without great financial loss to their family.
This double standard is uncalled for and many times cruel and unjust. Nobody should be forced to die before their appointed time, and nobody should be forced to live if they don't want to.

[dwilson59]

I would love to hunt a Zebra, I say let it go to an auction and give the money to a charity and let someone hunt it.

I would think it would taste just like venison.

[esq777]

The only thing that should be 'put down' is this ridiculous circus. Profiting off of the mistreatment of animals is despicable.

[haveabrain]

esq777, you said it! I do NOT allow my children to attend live animal circuses as I did when a child. Seeing what I did about 48 years ago made me want to delve more deeply into the behind-the-scenes lives of these animals, especially after hearing every few years about elephants rampaging, and wondering why this was happening...Time has come for people to realize we are NOT superior to animals, merely different, and that gives us NO RIGHT to enslave them for our personal entertainment!

[ddog88]

Put down like, "YOU ARE A STUPID ZEBRA"! Or put down like carried to a warm barn and placed gently in a bed. Or like chased until insane and then shot in the back of the head. Is it just me or does circus's seem cruel?

[drthvader]

The circus is cruel. When I grew up I wouldn't go anymore. Euthanize the zebra? NO!