08-02-2002, 08:50 PM
Vienna, Virginia - July 19, 2002 - It's shameful that our critics feel that they should desecrate the resting place of a man beloved by millions who ushered in the era of respect for all animals. According to a press release issued yesterday, PETA sent a protester dressed as a devil to dance on the grave of animal trainer Gunther Gebel-Williams, who passed away one year ago today. <br>Earlier this year, Kenneth Feld, producer of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® , issued a challenge to PETA and other organizations claiming to work for animals to stop spending their donors hard-earned contributions on silly stunts and start spending that money on providing care for needy animals. Regrettably, PETA's response over the last seven months has been to avoid answering questions about how much of its multimillion-dollar budget is spent caring for animals and to increase the frequency of stunts like the one announced yesterday.<br>Gebel-Williams, world renowned as The Greatest Animal Trainer of All Time, was the most celebrated and honored circus artist in history and the recipient of innumerable accolades. Gebel-Williams was popular with American audiences with his flashy style and incredible rapport with animals. Introducing a new style of animal training based on mutual respect, he forever changed the standards of animal training. This beloved circus star entertained more than 200 million people and never missed one of more than 12,000 performances in his 30-year tenure with The Greatest Show On Earth® . <br>Today, Ringling Bros. is proud to treat the 200 animals in its care with the respect and love that Gunther always showed them. We join his widow, son, daughter and grandchildren in remembering a great man with the respect he deserves.<br># # #<br>Editor's Note - information about Ringling Bros. and the animals in our care is available at www.ringling.com/amazinganimals. Information on Gunther Gebel-Williams is available at www.Ringling.com/ggw.<br>This information was copied from <br><A HREF="http:// http://www.ringling.com/lava/release.asp...0000005438" target="_new">http:// http://www.ringling.com/lava/release.asp...r><br>With the greatest respects and admiration of our fallen champion of animal rights and beloved entertainer <b>”Gebel-Williams”</b><br><br><br><A HREF="http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/" target="_new">http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/</A> <br>For Kids Sake <br>Recycle your old Equipment<br>Dave