****ANIMAL WELFARE vs da CIRCUS*** (about damn time!)

[Blue_Chill]

<snip>
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The nation's largest circus will have to defend itself against charges that it mistreats elephants that perform under the big tent.<snip>

<snip>The suit was filed in 2000 by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Animal Welfare Institute, The Fund for Animals and Tom Rider, a former Ringling Bros. elephant trainer.<snip>

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/science/08/01/ringlingbros.suit.ap/index.html

[Heddi]

1. Ugh. I can't stand Circuses

never could. My mother refused to take me to circues wheN I was little b/c of the animal abuse....and the clowns....but mainly because of the way they treat the animals.

I prefer cirque du soleil these days.


Elephants are such intelligent beasts. I can't stand seeing the way they're treated. They're so gentile and...just so fucking smart.

Anyone who abuses an animal will be re-born as an abused animal.

[Blue_Chill]

2. I agree

It pisses me off that people actually think being able to see animals do stupid tricks is worth the abuse they suffer. Sick bastards.

[Blue_Chill]

3. kick

:D

[bicentennial_baby]

4. Good!!

Animal circuses should be illegal...there is absolutely no good reason for these animals to be exploited and mistreated in the myriad of ways that they are. Same goes for bull-running and rodeos, imho.

[Blue_Chill]

7. I agree 100%

I would add that zoos should have to meet certain HIGH standards as well.

[bicentennial_baby]

9. Agreed

I have a hard time with zoos. On the one hand, I think they can be horrible prisons for animals, but on the other, a lot of these animals' habitats and environments are being ripped out from under them on a daily basis. Add to that the poaching and illegal animal parts trade. I think zoos or at least wildlife preserves are neccessary in order to ensure the surivival of many species. Captive breeding isn't ideal, but for some species it's the only shot they have.

Yes, zoos should be held to the highest standards possible, if they are to exist at all.

[curse10]

5. Good

It's about damn time circuses are held responsible for their abuses. They are disgusting.

[leftchick]

6. This is great news!

I believe this is the lawsuit with the ex-trainer willing to testify against Ringling. It is way past time they pay for their decades of abuse to all of the animals they hold captive.

[donsu]

8. a number of yrs. ago a woman reporter

was investigating this and Disney got onto her and nearly ruined her life. If you follow the trail, Disney owns the circus. This info was (I believe) in an article at On Line Journal http://www.onlinejournal.com/
a yr. or more ago.

[Loonman]

10. Bah, when I want to see the circus, I go to family reunion

Only human animals there.

[Imalittleteapot]

11. I don't go to the circus and will never go unless they

eliminate lion, tiger, bear, elephant and any other wild animal acts. :grr:
Hurray for ASPCA, AWI, etc. :bounce: