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Boycott Circuses That Harm Animals: The Treatment of Elephants in Circuses
Jordan .
started this petition to
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBv0_omCWeU
Though the mis-treatment of animals all over the world is being dealt with by organisations such as PETA and the RSPCA, the treatment of larger animals right under our noses is still at stake. In Circuses around the world, including the USA (even such a large known Circus such as the Ringling Bros.) still use animals in their shows. In order to get these naturally wild animals to perform and contort themselves into the necessary positions and situations of the show, their spirit has to be 'broken' through beating them and they are caused severe amounts of pain. These elephants are tortured and forced to perform, and are mis-treated offstage. The lack of care and attention offstage (aside from them being poked with bull hooks specifically designed to cause them pain and being chained up) also leads to painful arthritis.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is able to (and has the responsibility to) seize suffering animals, yet they are allowed by the agency to travel up to 50 weeks a year in filthy and cramped trailers and boxcars, while being tightly chained by two legs (and sometimes four) and regularly violently beaten for the smallest of behaviours and during training.
PETA's complaints against Ringling Bros. (constantly over seven years) regarding the deaths and beatings of elephants (including one particular baby who succumbed during training), led to the largest fine in circus history. But though fined, it was only a small first step and does nothing to stop the horrors occurring right now.
In July 2012, after a thorough inspection by an elephant expert, two elephants (Nicole & Karen) who are shunted from town to town by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus were found to be crippled, arthritic and in chronic pain. Even though the city of Los Angeles was notified by the expert and recommended that the elephants sit out of the show, they were forced to perform as usual. This is just one of many examples of city officials ignoring the compelling evidence of what is going on. As local jurisdictions have neglected to act on this clear evidence of neglect and abuse, it is up to the USDA to see to it that the federal laws designed to protect these animals are enforced and action is taken.
Please help get the word out and persuade the USDA to take action on this issue!
Though the mis-treatment of animals all over the world is being dealt with by organisations such as PETA and the RSPCA, the treatment of larger animals right under our noses is still at stake. In Circuses around the world, including the USA (even such a large known Circus such as the Ringling Bros.) still use animals in their shows. In order to get these naturally wild animals to perform and contort themselves into the necessary positions and situations of the show, their spirit has to be 'broken' through beating them and they are caused severe amounts of pain. These elephants are tortured and forced to perform, and are mis-treated offstage. The lack of care and attention offstage (aside from them being poked with bull hooks specifically designed to cause them pain and being chained up) also leads to painful arthritis.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is able to (and has the responsibility to) seize suffering animals, yet they are allowed by the agency to travel up to 50 weeks a year in filthy and cramped trailers and boxcars, while being tightly chained by two legs (and sometimes four) and regularly violently beaten for the smallest of behaviours and during training.
PETA's complaints against Ringling Bros. (constantly over seven years) regarding the deaths and beatings of elephants (including one particular baby who succumbed during training), led to the largest fine in circus history. But though fined, it was only a small first step and does nothing to stop the horrors occurring right now.
In July 2012, after a thorough inspection by an elephant expert, two elephants (Nicole & Karen) who are shunted from town to town by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus were found to be crippled, arthritic and in chronic pain. Even though the city of Los Angeles was notified by the expert and recommended that the elephants sit out of the show, they were forced to perform as usual. This is just one of many examples of city officials ignoring the compelling evidence of what is going on. As local jurisdictions have neglected to act on this clear evidence of neglect and abuse, it is up to the USDA to see to it that the federal laws designed to protect these animals are enforced and action is taken.
Please help get the word out and persuade the USDA to take action on this issue!
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