WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court on Friday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by animal rights activists that claims the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus abuses its elephants.

Feld attorney John Simpson said the appellate ruling supports the company’s $20 million racketeering lawsuit against Ryder, animal rights groups and their attorneys that claims they committed bribery, obstruction of justice and other illegal acts in filing the elephant suit. Simpson said the purpose of the company’s suit is to keep animal rights groups from using the federal court system to pursue “radical agendas.”  Read full article…..