News
The Circus is Coming
August 10, 2008, 10:46AM MT
By Britney E Wallesch
What you can do to help!
What you can do to help!
Story by Lin Goodman - Best Friends Network Member
Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, currently on trial for their cruelty to their Asian elephants, will be at the Comcast Arena, at Everett Events Center this September fourth through the seventh.
The use of wild animals in a circus only perpetuates an outdated way of seeing these animals as ours to do with as we please, using abuse as an accepted means of training the animals by damaging their psyches. And they do this for financial gain alone.
As far as Ringling Bros. goes, they have over one hundred U.S. Department of Agriculture violations. These are all for violating the minimum standards of The Animal Welfare Act. Among these violations are the failure to provide the animals with proper veterinary care, having unsecured, unsafe enclosures which do not provide enough space for the animals’ comfort, the profound lack of exercise, and improper feedings in unsanitary surroundings. The entire list of violations provide a risk to the animals’ lives, as well as to public safety.
Ringling Bros. is on trial for allegations of abusing their Asian Elephants. One of the ways they do this is by chaining, a practice used on these elephants for most of their captive lives. The elephants are so tightly chained by one front and one hind leg, they can barely move. They can’t even turn around. Other Ringling Bros. repeated cruel practices in the training of their animals are by use of electric prods, whips and spiked metal hooks, among other methods. By torturing these animals, they break their spirits, which the circus’ trainers believe gives them power over the animals, so they can be trained to perform their specific, unnatural acts in the ring.
The only way to describe these practices are as being heartless, cruel and barbaric. It is outdated, lacks empathy and compassion and has been proven to harm the animals, making it an improper form of entertainment. Any circuses which continue to use these practices demonstrate their ignorance of what is now well known, proven information regarding the type of care these animals need. They continue using the above methods in their training, doing damage to the animals’ emotions, their ways of processing their thoughts and their overall feeling of comfort and peaceful safety. These animals are not living fulfilling lives.
It has been proven that the use of wild animals for performance in circuses is not a positive educational act. In fact, it is just the opposite. In their natural environment, these animals, specifically the Asian elephants, live their entire lives as a family, roaming together to forage for food. They raise their young as they have for generations over time, which does not include standing together in line, spinning on balls, or, as for the tigers, jumping through hoops of fire. That is not educational. These acts are distinctly dictated by the circus, and go directly against the animals’ natural instincts.
What you can do:
There are alternatives, such as Cirque du Soleil [http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/cirquedusoleil/default.htmhttp://www.cirquedusoleil.com/cirquedusoleil/default.htm]http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/cirquedusoleil/default.htm[/url[/url]]], which should be encouraged, rather than perpetuating the abuse of animals for entertainment purposes. This is Everett’s opportunity and moment in time to demonstrate that they are another humane city, along with Tacoma and Seattle, both of which no longer consider the training of wild animals by unnatural, abusive practices, as entertainment.
Please voice your opposition to the Circus coming to Everett by going to: clicking here. Just print, sign and send the letter provided, urging Adam Cook, who is the director of events at Everett’s Comcast Arena, as well as the Everett City Council, to immediately take back their support of circuses and other shows that use abuse to entertain. Adding your own personal comments makes the letter more effective. Tell them to cancel the Ringling Bros. performance in Everett.
Posted for the WA Community by Britney Burt - Best Friends Team Leader
Photo Credit : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals