Animals in Circuses

BryanL

from todays Examiner,
i think it just shows an amazing level of intolerance.Surely the only question to be asked is,are the animals being well cared for.I don't see any difficulty with horses in a circus? and even for exotic animals that have been bred in captivity i think it's a much more varied life for the animal than sitting in a zoo?

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/ireland/mhojojojeykf/

Cork city council has passed a resolution banning circuses that feature animals from using council land.

The resolution was introduced by Socialist Party Councillor Mick Barry last night.

Only circuses that do not use animals will be permitted on Cork city public property from now on.

Fingal County Council in north Dublin also passed a similar motion last year.

The Animal Rights Action Network has welcomed the news and says it plans to promote similar measures in Clare and Limerick.

togster

don't like the idea of animals in ciruses tbh so i give it a thumbs up

stevoman

I dont mind it at all. Its a circus. Its part of the act!

luckat

When I was a kid I knew an old man who had run away from home in Limerick when he was 13, got himself to America and joined the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show.

He worked in circuses for years, as well as being a cowboy (most boring job ever, he told me), and then a stunt rider in Hollywood, then moving into acting - he was in a bunch of old films in the 1930s and 1940s.

He told me that all animal acts in circuses except the liberty ponies were cruelly trained. He wouldn't go to a circus because of it. But he said: "Watch the liberty ponies, how they turn towards the trainer, even though that whip is cracking - they're getting treats and praise, and they love it. The whip is only for the audience."

He particularly hated the wild cat acts.

By the way, if you search a bit online you'll find an oldish video of a circus trainer (Ringling, I think, but I'm not sure) teaching another trainer how to 'teach' elephants. "Sink in the hook" he's saying, to the sounds of agonised screams from the elephant.

I won't go to circuses, myself; ones with only humans, yes, but not anything with an animal act.

Lauragoesmad

I know this is a bit different but when I was in San Fransisco a few years back, I saw a clown lady with 3 dogs dressed up. She had them really well trained and had them doing brilliant things. She told me she wanted to set up a doggie circus. I wonder if she ever got it started because her 3 GSDs looked like they were having so much fun doing it.
No wild animals should be in a circus. I even have a problem with captive bred elephants and tigers for example because it sends the wrong message to people that it is ok for these animals to suffer to entertain.

BryanL

elephants and tigers for example because it sends the wrong message to people that it is ok for these animals to suffer to entertain

are you sure they suffer???
i don't know.do they suffer any less than they would if they were in a zoo though?
and are there really that many wild animal circuses in Ireland? i just find the whole thing very intolerant and i'm not even sure that any problem exists.
Bryan

Lauragoesmad

I'm not that keen on zoos either.
Well I'd say they do have to hurt them to keep them controlled as they would be more dangerous than dogs or horses. I don't think its fair to have them being gawked at by people.
I'd say dogs would enjoy it though as they thrive with human interaction.
Fair play to Cork County Council if you ask me!!

luckat

Yeah, I like dog acts too - the dogs are so clearly having fun and loving showing off, and obviously kindly trained.

The Artist

i can remmember last year i think seeing a horrendous act in japan i think when they feed the lions or tigers to the live cattle to watch by the public as if its a circus act. How cruel.Any body remmember that!?:mad::mad:

Gauge

Never been a fan of circuses really. I refused to go when I was a kid and haven't gone since. I don't have a problem with zoos provided the facilities are adequate for the animals they keep, but the idea of animals such as elephants, tigers, and lions being used for entertainment doesn't sit well for me at all. In my opinion this is a very good move.

cowzerp

Cats(lions, tigers etc) are not like dogs and wont do tricks for a treat like dogs would, they do it out of fear of punishment that the ring master has mase them feel, this is sick, elephants are the same, tortured till there spirit breaks before they are trainable, animal lovers should not go to circuses with animals in it.:mad:

Our man in Havana

I do not like animals in circuses - they have tiny cages & are forced to endure cruelty to make entertainment for us HUMANS - we seem to have a god complex when it comes to animals & our entertainment etc.

Last year on another Irish site I saw photos of an elephant that was trapped in a bog - luckily the fireman managed to pull it free - but the elephant must have been terrified & in some pain. Saw pictures recently of poor horses that had to allow tigers & lions to ride on its back! How cruel is this - the prey allowing the predator to ride it!

stevoman

Bond-007 wrote: »

I do not like animals in circuses - they have tiny cages & are forced to endure cruelty to make entertainment for us HUMANS - we seem to have a god complex when it comes to animals & our entertainment etc.

Last year on another Irish site I saw photos of an elephant that was trapped in a bog - luckily the fireman managed to pull it free - but the elephant must have been terrified & in some pain. Saw pictures recently of poor horses that had to allow tigers & lions to ride on its back! How cruel is this - the prey allowing the predator to ride it!

On the other side of the fence, not a bad point at all bond!

kerrysgold

Wild animals in circuses should be banned full stop, even the ones bred in captivity. Lions and tigers etc should be out in the wild not in a little enclosure. It's different for horses and dogs, besides being already domesticated for thousands of years they usually enjoy doing tricks etc if they are treated well and get rewards.