Pittsburgh zoo ordered to stop using dogs to ‘stress’ elephants

PITTSBURGH – The U.S. government has ordered the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium to not use cattle dogs to cause its elephants “behavioural stress.”

The inspection report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture was released Monday by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA complained about the practice late last year.

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According to the Jan. 7 inspection report, the zoo was ordered to stop using the dogs to “cause behavioural stress.”

Zoo president and CEO Barbara Baker says the incident in question stemmed from a drill involving an “extreme and unlikely situation” and that the dogs are generally used to ensure a “calm and controlled interaction” between elephants and their handlers.

The inspection report shows a USDA official found that dogs growled and lunged at the elephants, causing stress, when one reached its trunk through the bars of its enclosure.