Elephants, tigers, and other circus animals do not perform tricks like standing on their heads or jumping through hoops. They also don’t balance on pedestals out of sheer desire. These and other difficult tricks are performed because the animals fear what might happen if they do not.
Circus trainers use whips, muzzles, and electric prods to force animals into performing. They also use bullhooks, heavy batons that have a steel hook at one end. Video footage from animal training sessions shows elephants being beaten with bullhooks and shocked with electric probes. The government does not monitor circus training sessions, and the handlers tend to be cautious in public.
Constant Confinement
Circuses travel almost year-round in all types of weather and sometimes for several days. Animals are often confined in trailers and trucks where they lack access to food, water, and veterinary treatment. In filthy, cramped cages where they sleep, eat, drink, and defecate in the same spot, elephants and big cats suffer. There is no relief for the animals once they reach a venue. They are still caged and chained in parking lots and arena basements.
Danger for the Public
Elephants can snap when they become frustrated by the years of beatings and bullhooks. When an elephant rebels against its trainers, it can’t protect itself or the public.
The elephants bolted out of circuses and ran amok in the streets. They also crashed into buildings and attacked people. Some even injured or killed their handlers. Elephants were also wounded, and some were shot to death.
During a 2014 Moolah Shrine Circus show in Missouri, for instance, three elephants escaped their handlers after being stressed out by the circus noise. They were loose for 45 minutes and damaged several cars in the parking area before their handlers could regain control. This was not the first time that an elephant had escaped from a circus. A few years ago, Viola the elephant had run Cole Bros. Virginia Circus. She had bolted away from her handlers and then charged straight past a queue of people waiting to purchase tickets. Some ran toward the parking lot.
When given the chance, other animals, such as Tigers or Zebras, will also run through the streets of cities before being captured.
Circus Bans
A growing number of communities have banned or restricted the use of circus animals due to concerns over animal mistreatment and the safety of the public. Bullhooks are banned in cities across the country.
Animal-Free Circuses
The public’s demand for cruelty-free shows continues to increase. James Hamid Sr. is a well-known producer of Shrine Circuses.
Looking into the future, we can see that all circuses are moving away from animal production. In the last twenty years, animal acts are no longer performed. This is due to both strict regulations and changing public attitudes.
Many exciting and innovative productions dazzle audiences without the use of animals. Click Here to see a list of animal-free circuses.
What you can do
- Hold a demonstration when the circus comes to your town to let the public know that the demeaning stunts performed in the ring by the animals are the result of behind-the-scenes abuse. Tell your local media about the suffering animals in circuses experience. Click here for detailed information on specific circuses. This includes U.S. Department of Agriculture Citations and dangerous incidents.
- Start a campaign against wild animal acts, or amend your local cruelty to animals ordinance to include language that prohibits the use of bullhooks, as well as other mechanical, chemical, and manual devices designed to cause pain and suffering.
- Avoid any circus that uses animals. Speak to your friends and family, especially those who have young children. They may be more inclined to go.
- Check out ” Steps To Take When The Circus Comes To Town. for more information.