Do you agree with animals being used in the circus?

Wurly · 09-12-2012 12:10PM #1

I remember going to one of these as a child and not enjoying a second of it. Even as a kid, I could see that the animals weren't enjoying their 'tricks'.

Now before I post this video, I would like to point out that it's a PETA video. A lot of people have issues with PETA, myself included actually. But this video is really good. And Alec Baldwin is in it....;)

Would you go or bring your child to a circus that features animals? If so, why? I've heard the argument many times "oh, blah circus would never treat their animals in that way. They're well looked after. And do you know what, the animals enjoy it. Really they do".

So.. what's your stance?

bb1234567 · 09-12-2012 12:14PM

Its wrong. It should be banned. Circuses are crap anyway. Hope circuses are banned

joydivision · 09-12-2012 12:15PM

Yeah . Im tired of people telling me I should care about all these causes .
I like watching an elephant dance .

janja · 09-12-2012 12:15PM

No its wrong and cruel

starbelgrade · 09-12-2012 12:15PM

I've never understood the appeal of circuses. Maybe 100 years ago they might have been seen as high entertainment but I think most people have moved on from seeing weird men dressed as clowns and animals being "tamed" as good family fun.

It's all a bit freaky for my liking.

Immaculate Pasta · 09-12-2012 12:16PM

No I think it's very dated and cruel.

girl in the striped socks · 09-12-2012 12:17PM

I think it's disgusting tbh. I wouldn't dream of bringing a child to a circus or going myself.
And if I'm being really honest I'm not a huge fan of zoos either. It's like a posher circus with less travelling & less tricks but its essentially the same thing: locking up a wild animal.

ShamoBuc · 09-12-2012 12:18PM

A circus without animals wouldn't be the same.

Max Power · 09-12-2012 12:18PM

Wurly wrote: »

So.. what's your stance?

Sitting down at the moment.

Scioch · 09-12-2012 12:19PM

Its stupid, ignorant and cruel. Same as locking them in cages for snot nosed kids to gawk at. People need to cop the fcuk on.

dvpower · 09-12-2012 12:19PM

starbelgrade wrote: »

I've never understood the appeal of circuses. Maybe 100 years ago they might have been seen as high entertainment but I think most people have moved on from seeing weird men dressed as clowns and animals being "tamed" as good family fun.

It's all a bit freaky for my liking.

Live acrobatics is something you don't see everyday, and kids love clowns.

The animals always seemed to be a costly logistical nightmare and didn't really pay their way.

joydivision · 09-12-2012 12:37PM

What would happen to all these animals if the circus had to set them free ?
Have we got the facilities to look after them ?

AnonoBoy · 09-12-2012 12:41PM

If they're not shooting zebras out of a canon then it's not worth going to I feel.

09-12-2012 12:43PM

The best one I was ever at was one with no animals. Wouldn't ever go to one with animals now

looksee · 09-12-2012 12:45PM

I don't go to circuses with animals - I have no objection to horses and dogs but not wild animals. I have been to the likes of the Chinese circus, which is people - acrobats etc. I like the atmosphere but not the use of animals.

LiamMc · 09-12-2012 12:52PM

Do you agree with animals being used in the circus?

Yes.

09-12-2012 01:09PM

Brought my children to the circus a few years ago, they thought it was a bit boring.
I have to say that none of the animals showed any signs of joie de vivre, in fact most of them seemed to be suffering from a severe case of ennui, yes they were French existentialist animals but animals with feelings none the less!

Don't feel strongly enough about it to call for the banning of circuses with animals, but I agree, for the most part, with the OP.

admiralofthefleet · 09-12-2012 01:11PM

couldnt care less tbh

Sky King · 09-12-2012 01:12PM

I have never asked a circus animal its opinion on anything so I couldn't possibly say whether I agree with them or not.

Fr_Dougal · 09-12-2012 01:28PM

Wurly wrote: »

I remember going to one of these as a child and not enjoying a second of it. Even as a kid, I could see that the animals weren't enjoying their 'tricks'.

Now before I post this video, I would like to point out that it's a PETA video. A lot of people have issues with PETA, myself included actually. But this video is really good. And Alec Baldwin is in it....;)

Would you go or bring your child to a circus that features animals? If so, why? I've heard the argument many times "oh, blah circus would never treat their animals in that way. They're well looked after. And do you know what, the animals enjoy it. Really they do".

So.. what's your stance?

Hypocrite.

Wurly · 09-12-2012 01:39PM

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

Hypocrite.

Agreed, not a great picture by anyone's standards. Do you have more information on the context?

To be honest, that picture isn't really in the same league as what is depicted in the video I posted.

--LOS-- · 09-12-2012 01:39PM

For me it's the same kind of cruelty as zoos, dolphin shows etc, the likes of cirque de soleil don't rely on animals, it's a needless cruelty, but then again so is eating meat so at least I'm not a hypocrite.

Scioch · 09-12-2012 01:42PM

looksee wrote: »

I don't go to circuses with animals - I have no objection to horses and dogs but not wild animals. I have been to the likes of the Chinese circus, which is people - acrobats etc. I like the atmosphere but not the use of animals.

See I dont get that. Whats different about horses and dogs and Elephants born and raised in captivity ? No circus is going to use an actual wild animal in a show, they are all born and bred from other animals who were easiest to control and train.

Horses and dogs dont naturally dance, they have to be trained to do it. The fact that its easier to do it with dogs and horses shouldnt be the defining factor is the justification of doing it. You are still training an animal to do something it wouldnt otherwise do to amuse a bunch of slack jawed gawker's. Elephant, dog, horse, giraffe, mongoose its all the same isnt it ?.

the purple tin · 09-12-2012 01:47PM

They'd probably be better off in the zoo tbh.
Wasn't the woman from Fossetts circus caught spanking her monkeys a few years ago.

aidoh · 09-12-2012 01:52PM

Fúck circuses that abuse animals but Fúck PETA way, way more.

Gran Hermano · 09-12-2012 01:56PM

Those we can't eat can at least entertain us.

Wurly · 09-12-2012 01:58PM

aidoh wrote: »

Fúck circuses that abuse animals but Fúck PETA way, way more.

That's an absolutely ridiculous statement.

So you'd prefer animals to be abused over an organisation who was founded to protect them? I think PETA go too far sometimes and I too have my issues with them. But your statement is utterly idiotic.

steddyeddy · 09-12-2012 02:07PM

Backward acts for backward people.

joydivision · 09-12-2012 02:09PM

I think we dont have enough animal cruelty .

We will be educating them and letting them vote next .
Then what ? Theyll take over thats what .

MaxSteele · 09-12-2012 02:56PM

^^

"Shure aren't they better off with the circus and in cages so I can be entertained while I ahhte me ice cream hey ?" :rolleyes:

Completely unnecessary and miserable IMO.

I remember when Fossetts used to come here years ago, and looking at fully grown adult Lions slumped in their dreary cages. They should be living free in the Serengeti, not dancing and jumping through hoops for clueless families and they're spoiled children.

Shryke · 09-12-2012 03:04PM

I'm absolutely against it. There a step removed from zoos. Some zoos do well to try and retain certain animal populations and have come a long way. There's research and study in zoology and a lot of care is put in with some of the animals. It's not their natural habitat but it's not as horrible as a circus by any means.
With natural habitats being decimated daily it's at least something to have certain wildlife cared for and nurtured as best we can. I'm not referring to the circuses here.

PETA are awful though. Tawdry fickle idiots with heads up their own asses.

Do you agree with animals being used in the circus?

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