When the Circus Comes to Town
When the circus comes to town, I cry. It is NOT because I am happy, but because I see and know the unnaturalness of it all for the animals performing. What they are asked to do, how they are made to live almost every day of the year, and how far from the natural wild home where they – or their ancestors – were born. is a most cruel fate.
When whips, clubs and blunt objects, and electric prods are used on any animal, I am tortured (and should be). The “training” is demeaning and cruel at best. And those who might enforce regulations are sorely inadequate being only 100 for the 12,000 circus-related facilities in America.
There are a woeful number of animals who suffer and die because of mishandling within some aspect of the circus. We are part of the driving force of this form of entertainment when we choose to attend and support “the circus must go on” mindset.
There are fabulous circuses which do not include animals. For example, the famous Cirque de Soleil has performed in Syracuse.
Elephants, tigers, lions, other big cats, bears, primates, exotic reptiles, and other animals belong in their own diverse life and life giving support system… free from humans and their desire to make money from and have control over their most special and specialized grand and worthy lives.
“Examine what you tolerate — in relationships, with family, with friendships, on the job — because what you allow is what will continue…”
The above article is by pam mcnew, member of the board of directors of People for Animal Rights, P.O. Box 15358, Syracuse 13215-0358, (315)488-PURR(7877), LDESTEFANO3@twcny.rr.com, peopleforanimalrightsofcny.org.
Below is very good news (thanks to Hugo Acosta for sending this to us) about action by Mexico to ban wild animals in circuses. Let’s work for the day when the U.S. follows the lead of Mexico on this issue.
DECEMBER 12, 2014
Mexico Bans Wild Animals in Circuses!
In a huge victory for animals, Mexico has passed legislation banning the use of wild animals in circuses, becoming the 29th nation to introduce an animal circus prohibition. Animal Defenders International (ADI) is heralding the victory as one of the biggest ever breakthroughs in the campaign to end the use of animal in traveling circuses.
Senator Jorge Emilio González Martínez (PVEM) proposed the measure last year as an amendment to Mexico’s environmental and wildlife law, General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection. Those found guilty of committing an offence under the new legislation face huge fines of 50 to 50,000 times the minimum wage – the equivalent of nearly $230,000. The Green Party in Mexico has asked ADI to begin highlighting the law throughout Mexico.
As abuse has been exposed in circuses, legislation has begun to sweep the world. A two-year undercover investigation by ADI in South American circuses has been key in securing bans in nine Latin American countries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgyxF4JnATE
Jan Creamer, President of ADI, who is at present in Peru overseeing the rescue operation to enforce the wild animal ban there, says: “The ban is Mexico is a landmark in ending the suffering abuse of animals in the name of entertainment. The world is changing and we are seeing progressive legislation to end the use of wild animals in circuses sweeping the world. Surely it is time for countries like Britain and United States to catch up and do the same.”
ADI’s Operation Spirit of Freedom to enforce the bans on wild animal acts in Peru and Colombia has rescued 30 lions, nine monkeys and other animals. Previously ADI emptied Bolivia of circus animal (29 lions and other animals) in a historic enforcement operation that is the subject of the award-winning documentary LION ARK.http://www.ad-international.org/animal_rescues/go.php?id=3825&ssi=24
(All of the above translated into Spanish by Rob English)