Its adversaries -- a group including the Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Animal Welfare Institute -- argue vehemently that circus life is inherently cruel to the elephants. Not long ago,a physician from California appeared on 60 Minutes and said that he supported the murder of anyone involved in medical research using animals.
That told me everything I need to know about "animal rights advocates".