VIENNA, Va., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by Ringling Bros. on PAWS lawsuits:

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey(R) is a valued family tradition with more than 130 years of experience living and working with a wide variety of animals. Our animal care staff consistently provides the highest standards in the hands-on care of all our animals, including the Asian elephants. Ringling Bros. animal experts are committed to upholding these standards of animal care and to preserving the long tradition of circus animals for the millions of children and their families who love seeing them in our shows. Because of our professional and personal commitment to the well-being of our animals, Ringling Bros. is outraged by the allegations contained in two lawsuits brought against the company by the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). We will aggressively defend our good name and reputation. PAWS is an active critic of Ringling Bros. and other organizations that feature animals in entertainment, and these lawsuits are consistent with the group's prior history of using outdated, misleading or inaccurate material to support their allegations. We consider them nuisance lawsuits that are additions to a list of tactics PAWS is using in its political campaign to eliminate animals from performing circuses. Specific allegations that are made in the suits will be addressed in a court of law, and we expect that PAWS will continue to make outrageous allegations designed to further its agenda without regard to the facts or the outcome of the case.

SOURCE Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Web Site: http://www.ringling.com