by Hugh Chisholm, DVM
The circus is coming to town. Instead of getting excited about this, many of us who care about animals cringe. The thought of a bunch of tired, stressed animals performing silly tricks makes me sick to my stomach.
Circus promoters will tell you they love their animals. They swear they treat them well. I have witnessed otherwise. I saw an elephant trainer berating an elephant behind the Halifax Forum a few years ago. He scared her so much she urinated - a common stress response. I had another elephant trainer tell me he had no problem beating an elephant that misbehaved “much like you would beat a dog that misbehaved in your veterinary hospital”. I assured him I do not beat animals!
A tiger trainer once threatened to spray me with water because I was taking pictures of his tiger in its travel crate. This same tiger was gunned down by a SWAT team a few months later after it attacked and killed the trainer’s wife.
Children learn nothing good about animals and their role in nature from their exposure to the circus. They get to see them perform as live cartoon characters. The lesson is that humans can dominate and bully animals to perform just about anything for our enjoyment.
Consider attending Cirque du Soleil. They are a highly entertaining act with strictly human performers. They will be at the Metro Centre in July.
Comments (3)
One would think in this day and age that humans would have evovled to the point where they understand how circus animals are treated. I agree that Cirque du Soleil is the only choice of circus entertainment. I also wonder why HRM still allows animal circuses to perform here many other communities have banned such circuses from setting up in their regions. Hopefully HRM will move into the 21st century and follow suit. Keep up the good work Dr. Chisholm you have many concerned animal lovers in your corner.
Posted By: Judi Conlon: | Jun 09, 2011 at 08:41 PM
I believe the excuse HRM hasn't banned circuses is because the province has jurisdiction over them. If HRM tries to enact a ban and the circus people challenge it the lawyers believe it wouldn't withstand a court challenge. They are reluctant to waste time on a losing proposition. We need to direct our efforts at a provincial level. Historically, this has been difficult. Maybe the NDP government will be more open to change.
Posted By: Hugh Chisholm: | Jun 09, 2011 at 09:38 PM
I can not understand with the uproar with animal abuse in this country, why they still allow animals to perform in the circus, especially when it has been documented on video the abuse these poor animals suffer. I'm a firm believer in letting humans experience the same level of abuse that they dish out.
Posted By: Kelly sherrard: | Jun 10, 2011 at 01:20 AM
This thread has been closed from taking new comments.