At one time or another, the thought had to have gone through your mind "I never thought that animals can ride bikes or jump through a circle of flames." Well that's because animals cannot naturally do any of these things that they do in circus shows. Many harmful and cruel methods and equipment are used to "train" these helpless animals.
First, let's consider the living conditions for these "performing animals". If you've ever seen the animals before or after a show, I'm sure you have noticed the tiny cages, or living conditions, for most of the animals such as the tiger. Most of the cages aren't even big enough for the animal to stretch out or walk around to get exercise. Second, consider the funds, or lack of funds, of the smaller circuses. Without money they cannot buy many things that the animals need for survival and health and as a result many animals may spend their lives dehydrated, in hunger, and may not get the veterinary care they need.
Now let's consider the way the animals are trained or as I call it - abused. To begin training on big cats, such as lions and tigers, they are chained and have ropes put around their necks to choke them down, which as a result make them "work" out of fear. During training, bears may have their noses broken. Ever wonder how or why the bears in circus shows stand and walk on their hand legs, well they are forced to do so by having their front paws burned! Yes - BURNED. Another animal that suffers is the chimpanzee. A reporter once said that from outside the building of the arena, you could hear the trainer's club hitting a chimpanzee over and over, and the screams from the chimpanzee. I'm sure this trainer can give a reason for this act of cruelty, but no matter what the reason is - it still wouldn't be good enough because NO animal should have to suffer like that.
I'm sure you have all heard at least once about all the elephants that have escaped from circuses. Did you ever stop to think why? Elephants are chained for almost their entire lives. Trainers rely on these chains and the elephants' fear to make them listen and obey. On a television show, they showed a trainer that was caught on tape beating an elephant with a baseball bat! The elephant naturally tried to defend itself which only made the trainer beat it more. Out of pain, the elephant collapsed forward and onto its front legs. Because of all this cruel torture, can we blame the elephants for trying to escape? Since 1990, 39 people have been killed and even more injured by elephants running terrified through the streets trying to escape their sad lives. Because of the size and strength of elephants, people feel they are forced to shoot and kill to survive. Sometimes 100 bullets are used to kill these elephants.
Elephants feeling they are forced to run away to escape the beatings of training for circus shows. Doesn't this tell us something? Well it should! Are circus shows really worth the pain and torture the animals must endure, and is this why God put these animals on earth for, to perform for our entertainment and get tortured by humans? The answer is NO! Many communities are finally realizing that animals should not be a part of circus shows and to protect the animals and the public's safety they are considering banning animal shows in circuses. But considering is not enough. We must act now - protest circuses and write to circuses and express your feelings about animal cruelty and about how animals should no longer perform for our entertainment. Together we can completly ban animal performances and involvement in circus shows and save the lives of the animals who suffer so badly.
