| Many Circuses are Corrupt! |
| FACT: Circus trainers are frequently criminals, including child predators, violent convicts, of other unpleasant people. How can we trust these people to treat our animals with respect? |
| Not all circuses are evil to animals, but the ones that are force animals do to unnatural painful acts against their will. Some acts include, bears balancing on balls, apes riding motorcycles, and elephants standing on two legs. Animals are used for human pleasure and are not having fun while entertaining us. Many training techniques use fear of punishment using tools such as whips, tight collars, muzzles, electric prods, and bullhooks. Sometimes animals will go for days without eating if they don't obey their trainers and suffer from hunger. These animals are transported around the country in small cages and never in their natural environment. Many circuses do not have much money, and the animals suffer inadequate care and medical attention. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) only requires that the animals have enough room to stand up and turn around when confined. Circus animals act differently in circuses then they would in their natural surroundings, thus providing no educational experience to children. There are laws the circus are supposed to bide by, but frequently don't. |
| ~What You Can Do~ |
| - Boycott any circuses that use animals in their acts - Support human only circuses - Contact your local council to find out if they have banned animals performing in circuses, if not write them a letter - Educate children and adults about the harmful methods animals are trained. - Spead awareness to your friends and family - Show the difference in the learning experience between a visit to the zoo and a visit to the circus. - Do a school project on this issue. - Put up posters and stickers if you hear the circus will be in town! - Hand out leaflets at every show. - Write an anti-circus letter to the editor of your local newspaper - When the circus is in town find out where the animals are being kept. If they look abused take pictures and call your local animal control department of humane society immediatley. Also call the USDA and ask that an inspector be sent to investigate. - You can organize a protest on opening night. If you need help contact People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals's Campaign Department at 757-622-PETA. |
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