Animals have been a main focus in circus performances around the world for many centuries; however, in recent history, there have been far more regulations put on the use of these creatures, stemming mainly from how they are treated by both their trainers and the circus as a whole. Whether it be on the federal or local and state-level, there has been a definite increase in the questionable legality of America’s circus industry due to the neglect and abuse of the participating animals, courts’ decisions highlighting the true importance of the issue. These rulings make one ask the question: What types of regulations could be put in place in all circuses to ensure that the animals involved are not abused in the process? In the end, many different species of animals play an integral role in the circus industry of America, and they all have their own needs, including specific diets and living conditions. Ultimately, though there is already some legislation in place regarding the involvement and treatment of these animals in this business, it is not enough to fully protect their rights, and, more importantly, their health.
Multiple types of animals are used as entertainment in the circus industry, each of which require a specific treatment. When one imagines the circus, one visualizes tigers, lions, monkeys, bears, and, of course, elephants. In addition to the differences in the appearance of these animals, their diets are also in no way identical. Tigers and lions in the wild have a carnivorous diet. As reported by Defenders of Wildlife, tigers “mainly eat ambar deer, wild pigs, water buffalo and antelope,” while lions “consume a wide variety of prey, from wildebeest, impala, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and wild hogs to sometimes...
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...ive enough, which is not helped by the poor execution of the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act. There are endless stories which prove this statement to be true, including the tragic death of Benjamin and the injuries suffered by Angelica and Doc. It is important to educate oneself of the conditions to which circus animals are subjected because it is the only way that the American people as a whole can begin to reform our laws to work to fully protect these animals. Whether the United States needs to ban the use of animals in the circus nearly all together as Finland has, or simply keep a closer eye on their involvement and treatment by following in the footsteps of Italy and Belgium, a change does indubitably need to be seen in order to ensure that all animals involved in the circus industry of America are not abused simply for our mere, selfish entertainment.
The human-animal relationship is one that, in recent years, has come under heavy criticism. Organizations, such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), have been trying to raise awareness that this relationship may not be ethical. Changes have been made due to organizations like PETA and the HSUS (Humane Society of The United States). For example, Ringling Brothers Circus recently retired all of its elephants because people were boycotting the circus’s performances. Many people do not find anything about our relationship with animals unethical. The most common current uses for animals are agriculture, companionship, entertainment, and animal testing, each of which has its own controversial problems. A majority of
Many people would like to believe that animal cruelty doesn’t exist, but little do they know it is still happening all around the world every single day. The treatment we have on animals is unethical. It’s unreal how animal cruelty is still a thing because of the fact we live in a world of right versus wrong. Animals are looked as a form of product instead of what they really are, living breathing creatures. The use of animals in entertainment has been going on for thousands of years. Animals are forced into racing, captivity, violence, all for the sake of amusement to us. The children love to take a peek through the gates and cages of animals in zoos. People who are young and old love to watch the animals race. What people don’t know is that attending these events oftentimes means you’re supporting the abuse that is done to the animals. They have been taken out of their natural habitat, stripped from any rights they had, and forced to comply to the demands of human beings. The unfair treatment given to animals when used for entertainment purposes constitutes animal cruelty.
Using animals in live entertainment facilities is unethical and inhumane. Even if one does not care about animals, concern for human life might matter. Exotic animals are dangerous to the public. Exotic and potentially dangerous animals and humans were never meant to be in close quarters with each other. Recently, a woman leaned closer to a polar bear in a zoo and was attacked. (Animal Planet 2008) Despite the fact that the bear was significantly larger than the woman, the bear may have felt threatened. The bear was not in its natural surroundings and that, coupled with the woman invading his space, created a situation where the bear felt threatened. These are not domesticated animals, like a dog, who is used to being around humans. Despite years of training, animals can instinctively react to the invasion of their space by a human. Their instinct is to protect themselves, which might include attacking and killing a human. Sadly, such an act by the animal, would typically result in the animal being put to death. Animals can...
People seem to look at animals as a source of their own entertainment. When people go to the zoo or the circus, many do not seem to wonder if the animal is happy or not. They only worry about being entertained after all, that is why they paid to see animals in cages or doing tricks. People may not see it, but animal cruelty does not only happen in homes it also happens in circuses, zoos, and labs. It can take place anywhere, and it can happen all over the world. Many people use animals as transportation, food, and entertainment, and not once do they look at the animal’s face and think, “is this right?” No, instead they kept treating animals as if they are some sort of object that belongs to them. Animals do not have a voice to speak up for themselves to let people know that they are being treated wrong. Many people tend to overlook animal cruelty because to them it does not seem like the animals are being hurt. Animal cruelty is anything that can cause harm to the animal, whether it physical or psychological. It occurs for many different reasons, but none of them are right. It is a worldwide issue that seems to be overlooked. People should educate themselves about animal cruelty because it can help to decrease or eliminate it.
Animal activists and various animal rights/animal welfare support groups have been publicly declaring their beliefs against rodeos since the late 1800’s. Rodeo abolitionists believe PRCA members and contestants have always and always will mistreat their livestock. To support their opinion, activists use information such as the injury/death rate, veterinarians ignoring injured animals, and the belief that wranglers torment the animals into performing. The injury/death percentage is very low in PRCA rodeos. “PRCA has continuously called upon on-site, independent rodeo veterinarians at PRCA-sanctioned events
Should animals have to go through pain and suffering? Should they have to go without food and/or water? The answer is no. Animal abuse happens everyday and it happens because people are barbarous or because they don’t know how to take the best care of an animal that they have. Whatever the reason it’s still not right and will never be okay. This paper will cover a brief history of animal abuse, the statistics, the signs of animal abuse, and what can be done to stop animal abuse. Animal abuse needs to end for the animals that can’t speak for themselves.
“Animal Entertainment” refers to any animals used to act, perform, or fight for the enjoyment of humans. zoos, circuses, and bullfighting are all examples of animals used for entertainment. While many applaud these firms for putting on a spectacular show, many others argue that the animals are treated unfair. All of these animals are taken out of their natural environment and forced to perform acts not typically in their behavioral range. If one pays close attention at the circus, for example, it is visible how these animals are treated. Trainers threaten tigers with a whip and often hit elephants with metal on their legs. These techniques are inhumane and best explain why animals should not be used for entertainment. The use of animals for entertainment is a form of animal abuse because of the way the
Every 60 seconds an animal is abused. Dogs, cats, horses, and many other types of animals are being neglected and tortured everyday, yet resulting in few and minor consequences for the perpetrators. Animal abuse is prevalent in the United States and has been an ongoing issue since the 1970's, and prior to. Society as a whole has chosen to avoid the facts and arguments about animal cruelty, because to some it is seen as acceptable and typical. It becomes much more frowned upon when people actually see the results of the cruelty, especially in the media.
Attention getter: Lion, tigers, and bears, oh my! When the circus comes rolling into town, many people are excited to go and that is all that is talked about; about the clowns, the trapeze artists, the ring leader, the elephants and all the other marvelous wonders of the circus. But would you all still be excited to go if you knew the truth about the circus and the animal trainers of how they treat the animals? Because in reality, for our spirits to raise at the circus, they break the spirits of all the animals, especially the elephants.
This essay proposes to investigate the ethics of training, and subsequently utilising, circus animals for the purpose of human entertainment. Therefore, the essay will respond to the question “what moral or ethical obligations do humans have in respect of other animals? How can these obligations be filled?” It should be noted that a distinction is made between morals, which are personal standards of behaviour – and ethics – which are moral principles that govern societal behaviour. This essay will focus on ethical obligations. Specifically, the treatment and training methods of circus animals will be researched to ascertain what, if any, physical or psychological discomfort results for the animals. More precisely, investigations will be undertaken to gauge circus animals’ quality of life, and thus arguments that circus animals both enjoy and loathe this treatment will be explored. Additionally, specific cases of cruelty to circus animals, together with various legislation that either allows or prohibits such behaviours, will be examined.
The article “Animals Used as Entertainment” lists rodeos, circuses, bullfighting, horse racing, cockfighting, dog fighting, and zoos as examples of the many ways animals are used in entertainment. Circuses and zoos are the two most relevant forms of animal mistreatment. Both of these are sources of entertainment for children and adults. Zoos declare that the...
The life of a circus animal is hard and demanding. It is not an acceptable way of life for an animal. Circuses would quickly lose their appeal if the public were more aware of their mistreatments of these animals. Many circuses do not have much money and as a result the animals suffer from inadequate care. These animals spend most of their time in small cages used for transportation. The Animal Welfare Act provides cage requirements, but many circuses fail to follow this law. Even the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus was cited for 65 violations over a two-year period according to Florence Lambert. When traveling, animals spend hours, even days between sites in confinement..
Animal abuse is a travesty in our world that must be stopped. Every year, millions of animals suffer because of human actions, directly or indirectly. Whether it’s abused dogs and cats or even mistreated circus animals, their suffering is as real as it would be if it happened to us. Even animals who are raised on farms simply for human consumption should not have to suffer. One of the worst parts of humanity’s role in animal abuse is that there are easy ways for people to help that they are either ignorant of or simply refuse to do. There are many examples of animals who are abused by humans, but there are also ways for people to help prevent and put an end to animal abuse.
Some aspects of Animal abuse are completely avoidable, the cruelty brings no scientific knowledge, food, or testing. In the entertainment industry “wild and exotic animals are trained through the use of intimidation and physical abuse. Former circus employees have reported seeing animals beaten, whipped, poked with sharp objects and even burned to force them to learn their routines!”(dosomething) Cruelty for entertainment is not a fair trade by any means.
Since the beginning of the modern day circus in the early 20th century millions of Americans have enjoyed the performances by both the people and the animals that perform for our entertainment. However, the audience is blinded by shock and awe of the show from what really happens behind the curtain. Animal cruelty, poor living conditions, and lack of legal regulation scars the animals and becomes very dangerous to the overall health of the animals and those who are around them. The mistreatment of animals in circuses has been occurring for far too long, and new laws need to be implemented in an effort to prevent future acts of cruelty toward these animals.