animals
circus
cruelty to animals
entertainment
training wild animals
using animals for profit
wild animals
Circuses
By 41Combedale
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
Greece
September 2, 2012 9:30am CST
Do you think it is cruel to use animals in the circus? Do you think that elephants, tigers and other large mammels should be trained to perform tricks? We take children to the circus as traditional entertainment, but what are they learning from this? Clowns are fun of course and acrobats are exciting but the use of animals is totally different. Are we saying that it is good to use a whip to make animals jump through hoops and such like? Don't animals deserve to be treated with more dignity than that?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@deazil (4723)
• United States
2 Sep 12
There are many circuses that do not use animals. Cirque du Soleil being the most famous, I think. I definitely do NOT believe in animal circuses. As a child I thought they were fun, but since then I've come to realize they are not fun for those poor animals. I believe it is cruel. Animals should not be treated in this way. They should be treated with respect for the beautiful creatures they are. Man has abused every possible thing on this planet that they can. Animals should definitely be left alone. But until the consumer refuses to attend these types of "amusements" they will continue. I think the general population does not realize how much power the consumer has. But there is much power in denying money to businesses deserving to be boycotted. If enough people participate. That's my .02. Animal circuses?
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
2 Sep 12
I totally agree with you deazil, and we have a responsibilty to do something about it.
@deazil (4723)
• United States
2 Sep 12
I believe PETA has some agenda in regard to animal act circuses. Not sure. I used to belong to PETA but saw so many horrifying undercover videos and pictures that eventually I went to bed at night crying and was becoming very depressed and just sick at the thought of all the abuse. I would much prefer to live with animals than people any day. I supported PETA until couldn't afford it anymore. I believe in them and know they've done great things. I worked for Greenpeace, but dealt mostly with environmental issues for them. Every year there is a Shriner's circus here. There is a Shriner's Hospital in the next city and the money helps greatly. But I wish they would stop the animal acts and go with people only acts. Unfortunately too many people bring their children up to believe that this is entertainment. 
@fatlex06 (895)
• Philippines
3 Sep 12
I agree with you on this. But sometimes, I can't really help it to be entertained at the circus with animals. I don't know how they are being treated after the show or before it, but I hope they are receiving the treat that every animal should deserve, respect. I hope every animal can have that. :)
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
2 Sep 12
I remember when I was little I thought it was great to finally be able to see wild animals up close. But, I was a little tyke and didn't know any better. I do remember also not likeing the zoo's so much because the animals were all caged and even then I felt sorry for the tigers and lions, etc.
Now the zoo's have let the animals at least roam free in their own area's which I much prefer. And, they don't have to do tricks either.
I think the circus will be a thing of the past soon enough, but I do feel the circus animals at least are better taken care of than years ago.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
2 Sep 12
Yes I appreciate your sentiment. I also think it is cruelty to use animals in the circus. Animals are whipped and compelled to perform acrobatic shows in the circus. It is also cruelty to keep the animals in the zoo. They are being caged and are deceived from their free life.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
2 Sep 12
I understand what you feel about it. But I guess, the entertainment put up by circus makes it really fun for kids most especially that most of the animals used in the circus are not the usual animals that you would see in your home. The whipping think is not done violently. In order to train them, a trainer needs this tool for him to be followed. Animals doesn't have a working brain like we do and I guess it is the only way on how to teach them.
