The Nation - News from Dec. 15, 1988

A Seattle animal rights group has asked the federal government to investigate conditions at the Moscow Circus, claiming the trainers are “driving their bears crazy.” “The bears are rocking back and forth in their cages. That’s a sign of insanity in animals,” Wayne Johnson, a Seattle veterinarian, said. Other animal rights groups have protested against the Moscow Circus-which is performing at the Forum in Inglewood today through Sunday and in Seattle, New York City and Washington, and in Toronto and Ottawa in Canada. Johnson said the Northwest Animal Rights Network has petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture veterinary division to be sure the circus has all the appropriate licenses. Moscow Circus spokeswoman Patricia Robert said allegations by the group are unfounded.