Vehicle hauling elephants stalled near Eufaula, Okla.

MCINTOSH COUNTY, Okla. (KTUL) — Several elephants were stuck on the side of the highway Wednesday afternoon when a vehicle hauling them stalled on US 69 north of Eufaula, Okla.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol saysa local veterinaryoffice was called in to transport the elephants and a wrecker service is on scene providing assistance with the vehicle.

The outside lane will be shut down while the elephants are transferredto a secondary trailer, OHP says.

PETA released a statement, the animals belong to a Carson & Barnes Circus. PETA claims the circus has a history of mistreating animals.

The record shows that elephants from this circus were beaten into performing tricks and giving rides, chained up inside cramped trailers, and hauled across the country, putting their lives at risk. This abuse is rampant in the circus industry, which has seen circus trains crash, animals trapped inside overturned trailers, elephants used as living carjacks, tigers left without water, and a tiger shot after escaping at a truck stop. Because of this notorious circus's total disregard for animals' well-being, PETA urges everyone to stay away from acts and exhibitions that put exotic animals on display—and risk their lives on the road.

The circus hasn't commented on the incident.