Banksy accused of abusing painted elephant

Animal welfare officials have tried to close down an exhibition featuring an elephant painted to look like wallpaper.

British artist Banksy 'abused' the animal by spray-painting it for a show protesting at world poverty, officials in Los Angeles said.

The elephant, named Tai, was given a floral, nontoxic paint job for the 'Barely Legal' which ran from Thursday until yesterday at a warehouse in the city.

Cards handed out at the opening, which attracted such celebrity guests as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, read: "There's an elephant in the room. There's a problem we never talk about. The fact is that life isn't getting any fairer... Twenty-billion people live below the poverty line."

The world's population is only estimated at 6.65 billion people.

"I think it sends a very wrong message that abusing animals is not only OK, it's an art form," said Ed Boks, head of the city's Animal Services Department.

"We find it no longer acceptable to dye baby chicks at Easter, but it's OK to dye an elephant."

Boks said his agency issued permits for the elephant to appear, but he tried to have them revoked late Friday on grounds of public safety. However, the revocation would need five days to take effect and the exhibit would be over by then, he said.

"Permits will not be issued for such frivolous abuse of animals in the future," he said.

Tai's owner denied that the 38-year-old Indian elephant, who lives on a California ranch, had been abused.

"Tai has done many, many movies. She's used to makeup," said Kari Johnson, who with her husband co-owns the company "Have Trunk, Will Travel."

Bill Dyer, a regional director of the group In Defense of Animals, went to see the animal at the exhibit Friday afternoon.

"It didn't seem the elephant was under stress," Dyer said. "There were carrots and things, but it's another example of our exploitation of animals - so gimmicky and unnecessary."