The circus is in town, and along with a big blue tent, acrobats and an extensive menagerie are questions of animal cruelty and neglect.

As recently as last year, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has accused the Atlanta-based UniverSoul Circus, which has pitched its tent at Columbus Lot for the week, of leasing animals from exhibitors who have failed to meet minimum federal standards in veterinary care, medical records, adequate space and failure to properly maintain transport vehicles. The organization has accused more than 30 circuses of similar charges.

University spokeswoman Renata Nyul said State Senator Dianne Wilkerson, who represents Boston, asked university officials if Northeastern would host the circus as an attraction for city residents. The university did not specifically investigate the circus since it had been approved by the City of Boston, Nyul said. The circus is compensating the university for some expenses, like a more significant police presence, but the university is not profiting directly from the circus, Nyul said.

Ben Johnson, director of operations for the UniverSoul Circus, said each animal act used in the circus was certified and that a number of safeguards are in place to ensure animals are not abused, neglected or harmed.

“It starts when we are looking for animal acts,” Johnson said. “You can spot early on when there are any inconsistencies and problems. … If there is anything that any of our people spot that is not acceptable then we deal with that immediately.”

Johnson said each animal exhibitor has trainers who care for the animals: three Indian elephants, five tigers, eight horses, two camels, two llamas, two zebras and two ponies. There are about a dozen managers who care for both human and animal performers.

The UniverSoul Circus provided The News with its Animal Rights Policy Position yesterday. The statement begins: “The UniverSoul Circus has a strong stance against animal cruelty.”

“The UniverSoul Circus’ position on animal rights is clear,” circus president and founder Cedric Walker said in the statement. “We are strongly opposed to any form of cruelty or mistreatment of animals, wild or domestic.”

PETA has documented a list of instances, as recent as last summer, of animal mistreatment by exhibitors working with the UniverSoul Circus. On June 5, 2007, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) cited UniverSoul exhibitor Terranova Enterprises for failing to properly clean animal enclosures. In that instance, animals were not removed before cages were cleaned with detergent and subsequent hosing, causing exposure to a chemical that could cause irritation or damage to the animal’s skin.

In May and June 2005, the USDA cited elephant exhibitor Carson ‘ Barnes Circus for beating elephants with bullhooks, shocking them with electric prods and failing to provide adequate shelter for animals. Similar citations were issued in 2004.

In 2003, the USDA opened an investigation into the UniverSoul circus after two kangaroos, both owned by the same exhibitor, died within a four-month period. The kangaroos were used in a boxing routine where they were restrained in a harness and taunted into defending themselves. That same year, there were two separate documented instances where tigers escaped from their enclosures.

PETA’s list of more than 30 violations of the Animal Welfare Act is posted at circuses.com and covers instances as far back as 1997. The UniverSoul Circus was founded in 1994.

However, Walker said the circus works closely with local, state and federal agencies to ensure a high standard of animal care.

The UniverSoul Circus does not have, and is not required by law to have, an animal exhibitor license from the USDA because it leases the animals in its show rather than owns them. A PETA spokesperson said a number of the exhibitors that lease animals to the circus have failed to meet minimum federal standards mandated by the Animal Welfare Act. The law was enacted in 1966 and “regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, commerce and by dealers,” according to the USDA website.

Officials at the UniverSoul Circus said animal exhibitors who have violated its animal protection policies are not allowed to continue to work with the circus and has not had any problems this year.

“We have not had any cases of animal injuries documented by local, state or federal officials this season and all of the animal caretakers strive to keep it that way,” Johnson said in an e-mail to The News.

A PETA spokesperson said many problems are not visible to authorities or the general public.

“The problem with circuses is that much of the abuse goes on behind the scenes, away from the public and officials,” PETA spokesperson Ryan Huling said in an e-mail to The News.

Some Northeastern students said they were concerned with how circus animals might be treated.

“I feel bad,” said Colleen Mulhern, a middler nursing major. “Elephants and stuff, they shouldn’t be here.”

But others said they were less concerned with potential problems, especially since they were unaware of problems.

“[PETA] complains about everything,” said Alexis Dedousis, a sophomore criminal justice major. “If [UniverSoul Circus is] doing it, it’s not good. I haven’t heard anything about it, so I don’t want to accuse them of anything.”

The UniverSoul Circus, organizers said, is ideal for families.

“The best in urban family entertainment, that’s our goal, to be the best in urban family entertainment,” said ringmaster Cecil Armstrong. “We want to entertain, to inspire and to inform three generations: grandparents, parents and children. The circus provides the entertainment that can bring three generations under one tent.”

Armstrong explained that animals were a big draw at the circus and said, “They’re treated very well.”

The UniverSoul Circus opened yesterday and runs through July 6. Tickets are available at the box office at the Columbus Lot or at ticketmaster.com.

– News staff writers Julie Balise

and Jeanine Budd contributed to this report.