Tips for first time Circus goers

[Anonymous]

OP - before you go to the circus, I would suggest you google the term "Bullhook."

[Anonymous]

From the video information:
Ringling Bros. Circus is currently being sued by the ASPCA, the Animal Welfare Institue, the Animal Protection Institute, and The Fund for Animals because of their abuse towards their elephants. You will not want to go to Ringling Bros. ever again after seeing this piece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CKxNpnP5pM

[Anonymous]

I hope all of you who are advising people to avoid the circus are strict vegans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope all of you who are advising people to avoid the circus are strict vegans.

That's total horse shit. Get over yourself.

[Anonymous]

Interesting. I thought the lawsuit was concluded last year and Ringling Bros won. Check it out.

In fact, the active case may be the lawsuit against the animal rights organizations for racketeering. The key witness for the plaintiff had been accused of being paid by the animal rights organizations for his testimony.

Look, I don't understand elephants. I don't know anything about those bull hooks. But, I do know that I use a gentle leader for my dog. And, I do have to crate my husky when we're not at home or she will completely destroy the place. Very common with huskies. I love my dog, she's happy and well-cared for and, if it wasn't for our family, she would be dead. Is this the case with the endangered Asian elephant? Would they be dead otherwise? Is there enough room in the zoos or is there a place in this world for a working elephant? I would guess that the clear majority of these trainers love their animals and care for them.

So, my view is go to the circus. Watch the elephants and vigilant with the circuses's animal care. No, the animals' lives aren't perfect but life in the wild is...what's the old phrase..."red in tooth and claw." Being taken down by predators or by poachers isn't all the cool either.

http://humanewatch.org/index.php/site/post/press_release_racketeering_lawsuit_fingers_humane_society_of_the_unite/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope all of you who are advising people to avoid the circus are strict vegans.

That's total horse shit. Get over yourself.

Not PP, but I get the post. Do you know how animals are treated so that you can consume them? There is horrific animal abuse going on with chicken and pig farms. Cattle are regularly brutalized so that you can eat meat. How is this issue so different from enjoying animals at the circus?

[Anonymous]

Agree with tHe PPs. Please reconsider the circus. They are pretty horrible to the animals.

[Anonymous]

Why does every post have to turn into a flame fest or lecture? I don't think the majority of these posts about avoiding the circus address OP's question at all. If you're not going to be helpful, keep your comments to yourself.

[Anonymous]

My parent's are taking my son tomorrow. I think if you go early, there is face painting and you get to meet the animals. I did just read Water for Elephants but I think the book highlighted both the misuse and love for the animals by the caretakers. I loved going to the circus when I was a kid and hope my son enjoys it as well. I am bummed that I am missing the elephant walk through DC today. I think it is fine to put pressure on the circus to treat the animals better and I am glad there are groups letting them know that they are watching but I think it will be a great experience and exposure for my son to some magnificant animals. OP hope you have a great time!

[Anonymous]

I loved the circus too but after I saw the video of what they do to the 18 month old baby elephants in order to train them, I lost my appetite for that part of the show.

[Anonymous]

Saying people who dislike the circus are hypocrites unless they are strict vegans is pretty extreme. Whether or not it is cruel to eat animals can be debated with both parties being responsible humane people. Yes, the meat industry is not pleasant either--one reason our family started looking for humanely raised meat. But that's an entirely different subject and I appreciate that many families do not have the time, energy or concern to go to this trouble.

The circus, however, has been documented numerous times as a place where animals are abused and treated inhumanely. Zoos may not be awesome either, but there is a distinct difference. I can take my kids to the zoo and have conversations about animal habitats and protecting animals in the wild, etc. I can explain to my kids why we eat animals. I cannot think of a way to explain to my kids that we go to the circus because it's "fun," even though we know that animals are abused there.

We all must make our own decisions, and I honestly believe that parents who continue to support the circus simply don't know about the abuse. I urge the OP, and other parents who have thought about going, to do the research and come to your own decisions. It is difficult to stop eating meat. It is difficult to stop wearing leather. It is not that difficult to say no to the circus.

(I'm trying my best NOT to talk about elephants, but I also encourage others to research them and prepare to be amazed by these beautiful mammals. Studies have documented elephants' behavior assosicated with grief, making msuci and art, altruism, play, use of tools, compassion for other elephants, and self-awareness. While any animal abuse is sad, it is especially upsetting to know that animals who have the ability to really FEEL these emotions are being harmed, and that abuse will stay with them for the rest of their lives /elephant soap box).

[Anonymous]

If you're not going to be helpful, keep your comments to yourself.

I think it IS helpful to clue people in about circus conditions. If someone wants to take their kids, they should know the whole story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If you're not going to be helpful, keep your comments to yourself.

I think it IS helpful to clue people in about circus conditions. If someone wants to take their kids, they should know the whole story.

I'm not anti-circus nor a vegan, although I don't think its so far off-base that someone would question you for preaching against the circus while supporting the meat industry. Neither are exactly pillars of humanity but its up to each and every person to decide what they are willing to tolerate.

But I think if you are going to post a question about going to the circus, you should be prepared for the feedback people are giving. This is one of those subjects that always gets this kind of reaction. If OP has never heard this debate before, I'd be very surprised.

That said, OP, its your choice to go to the circus if you want to. But I don't think you need to get there supre early as long as you have assigned seats (which I assume you do).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If you're not going to be helpful, keep your comments to yourself.

I think it IS helpful to clue people in about circus conditions. If someone wants to take their kids, they should know the whole story.

Agree. Or they should at least not be allowed to bury their heads int he sand.

And the analogy between going to the circus and being a "strict vegan" is an incorrect one. I'm not a "strict vegan" but I do not eat any meat. You can also eat meat and do it in a way that does not contribute to the gross, and grossly inhumane, factory farms (i.e., order from local farmers).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope all of you who are advising people to avoid the circus are strict vegans.

That's total horse shit. Get over yourself.

Not PP, but I get the post. Do you know how animals are treated so that you can consume them? There is horrific animal abuse going on with chicken and pig farms. Cattle are regularly brutalized so that you can eat meat. How is this issue so different from enjoying animals at the circus?

I don't condone circuses and certainly don't condone eating meat. I practice what I preach

What goes on live stock farms is unspeakable, it's a horror story like no one has ever watched. Like Paul McCartney said, "If slaughter houses could have glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian".