Jay Leno Rings Jokes On Ringling's $270,000 "Animal Mistreatment" Fine ...

Two nights in a row now, late night's talk show king has made comedy hay out of Ringling's settlement with the USDA over alleged animal abuse. (The show accepted the hefty fine -- pocket change for the Felds -- without admitting guilt.)

Jay's latest barb : "They [Ringling] promise to change their ways; like, you know the bear that rides the bicycle on the tightrope? From now on he'll be wearing a helmet."

Laughter aside, this is NOT the comedy any circus would pray for.