Abuse of Animals in the Circus

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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...

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...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.

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