PETA criticizes zoo using dogs to herd elephants

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investigating complaints by People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals that Pittsburgh zoo officials are being cruel by using dogs to herd its elephants.

Zoo officials tell the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the dogs are being used to enhance the safety of human animal handlers and using dogs is part of the zoo’s goal of “providing the best care possible for our elephants.”

But PETA says the dogs nip at the elephants’ legs and frighten the animals and says using dogs that way violates a state law banning the use of dogs to chase wildlife. That law is meant to keep dogs from flushing out animals for hunters and the Pennsylvania Game Commission says it has no jurisdiction over zoos.

That’s why the USDA is reviewing PETA’s complaint.