A circus elephant named Topsy that had killed three men was deemed a threat and killed by electrocution on January 4, 1903.
The original plan was to hang Topsy at an amusement park on Coney Island and charge admission but the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals stepped in and stopped that plan. A combination of poisoning, strangulation and electrocution was then decided upon.
It was reported that Thomas Edison carried out the grisly electrocution (this is disputed,...
Topsy the Elephant Electrocuted 114 Years Ago Today
The original plan was to hang Topsy at an amusement park on Coney Island and charge admission but the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals stepped in and stopped that plan. A combination of poisoning, strangulation and electrocution was then decided upon.
It was reported that Thomas Edison carried out the grisly electrocution (this is disputed,...
Topsy the Elephant Electrocuted 114 Years Ago Today