Say No To Circus Abuse
I’ve never been to a circus and for some reason thought that they were something of the past. Nope, circuses and the animal abuse that goes with them are very much happening today. Wild animals are taken from their homes, whipped and trained out of fear so that people can be entertained. While it might seem these animals are having a great time onstage, behind the scenes is a completely different story.
Because we’re humans and we are supposed to be smart (although we tend to make a lot of dumb decisions, don’t we?), we think we can control other dumber animals. Well, that’s just dumb of us. Wild animals are exactly that, wild. Not meant to be in captivity or doing stupid tricks. How many times have you heard about a circus animal running rampant killing people and then being shot down because “it’s out of control”. Just yesterday, I watched a video of a chimpanzee owned by a human for 15 years, that ended up attacking the owners friend, mutilating her face. This same chimp had been used in countless commercials and tv shows without a problem, but it’s still a wild animal.
In the wild, most of these animals like elephants, lions, tigers, chimps, and bears live in packs. These animals are all very social in the wild, especially elephants who are actually very emotional creatures (watch the video below). But regardless of what kind of animal it is, they are all chained, caged up and beaten in the circus. The videos show proof of this and if you type in circus abuse in YouTube, there are a ton of other videos documenting this. It’s really hard to believe that it’s even legal to have animals in shows anymore. Actually Ringling Bros. just settled for $20,000 with the USDA for letting a baby elephant die from failing to provide veterinary care.
Not only are they physically abused, this confinement causes these animals to flip out. Since 1990 there have been over 500 cases of big cats, elephants, primates and bears running rampant and injuring people whether they meant to or not. There have been over 100 cases of the animals being killed and over 500 cases of humans being injured in these situations. You saw how abusive these trainers can be in the video above, can you blame these animals for wanting to run away? In the video below, check out what Ringling Bros. say on their web site and how that contradicts with what really happens.
The best way to stop this abuse is to just not go to circuses. There is a great website called circuses by PETA, where you can sign petitions and they give you other ideas on how to stop this abuse. They also have a list of animal free circuses. Check it out…
7 Responses to “Say No To Circus Abuse”
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Kate
I hear you, it is such a tragedy the way humans have treated these animals. We were in the dark for a long time, but now that we know how they are treated, if we go to the circus we are as guilty as the abuser.
These people are freaking disgusting. These poor innocent animals cant speak for themselves. Help them..stop going to circuses.If you do its like you’re abusing them too.
Uncork the champagne and celebrate a major victory for animals! Bolivia has enacted the world’s first law that prohibits the use of animals in circuses.
A small handful of countries have banned the use of wild animals in circuses, but the Bolivian ban includes domestic animals as well, making the new law in Bolivia the dawning of a brand new day. The law took effect July 1.
The law was proposed after an undercover investigation by the nonprofit London-based group Animal Defenders International (ADI) found widespread abuse in circuses operating in Bolivia. The group’s undercover investigators in Bolivia worked side-by-side with circus workers and other animal welfare groups to film disturbing mistreatment of the animals.
Rep. Ximena Flores sponsored the bill to enact the law after seeing the video footage. The law she enacted states that the use of animals in circuses “constitutes an act of cruelty.” The law sets fines for infractions and allows for animals to be confiscated by authorities. Circus operators have a year to comply to the new law.
Flores said authorities are now working to prevent circus operators from killing animals they can no longer use. About 50 animals are circulating in national and international circuses at the moment in Bolivia.
ADI chief executive Jan Creamer said circus animals suffer everywhere, including in wealthy countries such as The United States.
To help ADI end suffering of circus animals visit http://www.ad-international.org/alerts
this is horible. how can they do this to innocent animals. it is obvious there in pain
THIS IS JUST PLAIN HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! =(
Omg! how can they do this to babies! it’s so horrible i couldn’t stop crying. I will never in my life ever go to a circus again.
Fine blog,have a fine day