Abuse of Animals in the Circus

1505 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: What are the penalties that should be held for animal abuse

Abuse of Animals in the Circus

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.

“Virtually 96 percent of their lives are spent in chains or cages,” and “11 months a year they travel over long distances in box cars with no climate control; sleeping, eating, and defecating in the same cage,” as stated by PAWS, Protective Animal Welfare Society, is one of the many organizations that strives to protect animals right and sheds light on this horrific situation that should be stopped at once. This is an insight of what the animals have to endure just for our entertainment. PAWS also discuses when these animals are eventually allowed out of their cages they undergo “extreme ‘discipline’ such as whipping, hitting, poking, and shocking with electrical prods,” for training purposes to ensure that the performance goes without any complications. The transportation of theses animals is cruel and unusual no matter how it is looked at.

The traveling circus changed over the course the years with modern technology making it easier to move theses animals more efficiently, however the conditions of what the majestic animals must go thro...

... middle of paper ...

...r Reasons Why You Should NEVER Attend a Circus That Uses Animals. Born Free USA, 2014. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

Smith, RaeLeann. "Circus Animals: Abused and Dangerous." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2007. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

"Circuses: Three Rings of Abuse." PETA. PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 2014. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.

Verburg, Peter. "Ditch the Dancing Bears." EBSCO, n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

"Last Chance for Animals." Last Chance for Animals. LCA, 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

"Enjoy the Circus? The Animals Don't." PAWS - People Helping Animals. PAWS, 2014. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

"Tuberculosis (TB)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 Mar. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.

"Circuses." Gather round and Behold: Animal Exploitation. Animal Equality, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.

Show More
Related

  • Sea World Rhetorical Analysis

    1408 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although it’s entertaining to watch these animals perform, most people don’t take the time to think about the issues that the companies that are involved in this type of entertainment encounter. The frequently asked questions of how

    Read More

  • Rodeo Animal Safety

    1244 Words  | 3 Pages

    Larson, Peggy W. Animal Abuse Inherent In Rodeos 2008 PO Box 28 Geneva, IL 60134

    Read More

  • Exotic Animal Abuse

    418 Words  | 1 Pages

    Exotic animals have been in circuses for centuries. They've been people's major source of entertainment in circuses. Without exotic animals, circuses wouldn't be as popular as they are. Many people enjoy these animal's performances, but don't think about the physical and mental abuse these animals have to endure. Exotic animals in circuses are cases of animal cruelty that shouldn't be condoned. Exotic animals are exposed to a major amount of physical stress. They are confined in small cages for days at a time. A circus travels in small vehicles. They confine large animals into small cages as they travel through the states. They aren't in their natural habitats. They are taken out of the wild and put into confined spaces. They are forced

    Read More

  • Argument for Stopping Animal Abuse

    2126 Words  | 5 Pages

    Executive Summary 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.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Speech On Animals In The Circus

    597 Words  | 2 Pages

    Preview: So today, I would like to attempt to persuade you that circuses should stop using animals, with a ...

    Read More

  • Animal Welfare: Banning Wild Animals from Circuses

    1623 Words  | 4 Pages

    Currently there are three main legislations affecting and protecting the welfare of wild animals in travelling circuses, The Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the performing Animals (regulation) Act 1925, (DEFRA,2013; Rees,2013). The legislations in place recognise that both wild a...

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Using Captive Animals In Zoos

    1718 Words  | 4 Pages

    For hundreds of decades animals have been the center of entertainment for humans. They are used in circuses, zoos, aquariums, and other animal-based exhibits. However, how many of us actually take the time to consider if this involuntary imprisonment is doing more harm than good? Not many take into account the permanent effects these animals suffer from being locked in cages or small spaces for 95% of their life. Using captive animals to entertain humans should be considered unlawful and cruel because of the physical and mental repercussions that are caused and because they are not educational.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Why Zoos Should Be Discontinued

    1560 Words  | 4 Pages

    Nolan, James. "All the Reasons Why Zoos Should Be Banned." Vice.com. N.p., 24 June 2015.

    Read More

  • Are Zoos Inhumane?

    2040 Words  | 5 Pages

    "Do We Need Zoos?" : An All Creatures Animal Rights Article. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2015.

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of The Mistreatment Of Animals

    895 Words  | 2 Pages

    The world of entertainment is constantly growing and changing in exciting ways. As a society, we have found pleasure in watching exotic, and wild animals by visiting zoos, circuses, and aquariums. When visiting these places, we are not focused on the mistreatment of animals as the corporation often disguises it. The harsh truth, is that these beautiful animals are neglected, abused and live a life of misery. An animal used for entertainment purposes is a horrible social norm, which has been proven to cause psychological and physical damage.

    Read More

  • Circuses Should Handle The Animal Abuse

    1161 Words  | 3 Pages

    Circuses: How We Should Handle the Animal Abuse When you see an elephant, tiger, or any wild animal, you should see them in the wild. You should see them in groups of the same species and running free, not balancing on their front legs or jumping through a fiery hoop. Wild animals are not indoor pets, a tiger is not a cute little kitten and an elephant definitely is not like a dog. Unfortunately circuses do not seem to grasp this concept. Circuses should be banned or shut down because they abuse their animals, they endanger the people and the animals in the circus, and the acts that the performers are involved in have caused many deaths.

    Read More

  • Poor Treatment of Circus Animals

    495 Words  | 1 Pages

    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..

    Read More

  • Animals in Entertainment

    1116 Words  | 3 Pages

    When bred in captivity, animals are oblivious to their natural habitats and how to socially interact with their species. 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 they are used for mostly educational purposes and preserving various species, but the reality is that they fall short on both (“Animals Used”).

    Read More

  • Circus Animals

    1900 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Essay On Circus Animals

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    They are pressured into completing harmful acts, as well as maneuvering their bodies in ways that are anomalous. Acts such as these tend to cause distress in the circus animals. Instead of supporting circuses that use animals in their shows, people should support animal-free circuses. Animal-free circuses feature spectacular shows without harming any animals.

    Read More

More about Abuse of Animals in the Circus

Open Document