Elephant used in Calif. wedding despite ban

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- They are stars of the elephant world, known for roles in Hollywood films like 2011's "Water for Elephants." But now one of the pachyderms from the company Have Trunk Will Travel is the star of a brewing controversy in Huntington Beach.

The elephant was used to carry a couple at a wedding ceremony earlier this month at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa, despite a city ordinance prohibiting wild animal performances.

"You do not want to invite an elephant to your wedding. People, circus workers and kids and members of the public have been injured and killed," said Matt Rossell, Campaigns Director for Animal Defenders International (ADI).

Some of ADI's members snapped photos of the elephant in Huntington Beach on Oct. 18. Rossell says Huntington Beach police were called, but the officer sent to the scene failed to cite the elephant handler.

In a written statement, the city of Huntington Beach said: "As with many first-time offenses, it is the goal of the city to ensure businesses and residents follow the municipal code. In this case through communications with the management at the Hyatt, the city is comfortable that the message was received."

Rossell says his group has investigated the Perris-based Have Trunk Will Travel and provided video to Eyewitness News. He says the handlers are violent with the elephants.

"We caught them on camera in an in-depth investigation severely abusing, beating and shocking their elephants, and so these are well-known abused animals that were brought to Huntington Beach," Rossell said.

Kari Johnson, co-owner of Have Trunk Will Travel, disputes those charges, saying in a statement: "ADI has made the same allegations time after time in the media and on your news station since 2011. Their allegations are false. We've seen some of (sic) stories now about our elephant in the wedding. We're not interested in going back and forth regarding animal rights extremists speculation in their grab for media attention."

Meantime, ADI members are scheduled to meet with Huntington Beach city officials Thursday. They're hoping to convince the city to fine Have Trunk Will Travel for violating the municipal code.