No sooner has director Tim Burton been named to helm a live-action remake of Dumbo when animal-rights activists were on his case.

No bullhooks, no abuse and especially no circus ending for the “sensitive, intelligent, complex” elephants, warned People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in an open letter on its website Thursday.

Burton, who directed a successful 2010 version of Alice in Wonderland for Disney, is reteaming with the studio to do a new version of Dumbo, the 1941 animated classic, according to multiple entertainment media reports.

The PETA letter, signed by senior vice president Lisa Lange, praises Burton’s “artistry” in his past use of computer-generated special effects in his films, including Alice, Frankenweenie and Corpse Bride.

“We love the original Dumbo because it tells the story of the heartbreaking abuse that elephants in circuses endure, and we hope you will keep this storyline in the new film,” the letter said.

PETA used the news last week that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will retire all its elephants from its show to press Burton on protecting any elephants who will perform in Dumbo.[…]

“We’re hopeful that in your adaptation of Dumbo, the young elephant and his mother can have a truly happy ending by living out their lives at a sanctuary instead of continuing to be imprisoned and abused in the entertainment industry,” the letter concluded.

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