Performing Animalsby RSPCASuppose circuses with performing animals had never been thought of. Then suppose that some enterprising showbiz entrepreneur presented an unsuspecting public with the first ever circus with animal acts. For the first time ever we would be treated to the spectacle of wild animals performing tricks, obeying commands, playing games and dancing. What would our reaction be? Amazement? Certainly. Delight? Well, possibly. But more probably horror, disgust and pity. Would it catch on? It would be nice to think that in our enlightened age we would abhor the exploitation of animals for cheap entertainment, that our respect for animals and our concern for their welfare would not permit such obvious abuse. But circuses with performing animals do exist. Every year thousands of people flock to the Big Top for the glamour and excitement the circus offers. The circus could be described as a valuable part of our heritage and tradition, but tradition tends to cloud our judgment. The circus may have its origins in our historic past, but that surely can't justify the bizarre and often stressful existence that it inflicts on animals. And yet we perpetuate the tradition. Is this what we really want?Remembering our own childhood, we take our children and grandchildren to the circus so that they too can marvel at the size of the elephants, the courage of the "lion tamers" and the grace of the beautiful horses. Then, yet another generation of children grows up with the fixed impression of the circus as a sort of unalterable institution. If a flicker of doubt ever crosses their minds, it is quickly dispelled by what seems to be general adult approval of the spectacle. The circus must be all right because it has always been like this, and nobody else seems concerned. But it isn't all right, and if we stood back for one moment from the undoubted glamour and excitement to ask ourselves if this is really the way we want to see animals treated, we would know that it isn't all right.We have no excuseThe first curious spectators at early circus shows can't be condemned for condoning cruelty. They knew nothing about exotic wild animals. We have no such excuse. Education, travel and television have given us all easy access to the natural habitats of nearly every wild animal. We recognize that they are in our care and our concern for them is heightened by the fact that so many of them are now faced with extinction as a result of human exploitation. How, with the knowledge that we have of them, can we possibly justify their role as "entertainers"?Tethered by chainsThe life of a circus animal is harsh and demanding. Although some circuses are better than others at caring for their animals, no circus can ever provide an acceptable way of life for an animal. Hours, even days, are spent traveling between different sites and how ever well managed the traveling arrangements, confinement and restriction of movement are inevitable. Not that there is much relief at the circus site. Few, if any provide facilities for exercise or play and the larger animals spend much of their lives tethered by chains. Training is another thorny question. Many trainers protest vigorously when they are accused of cruelty. Some may be quite justified, but it is an indisputable fact that many methods of training are cruel and that sticks and goads that have spikes or nails concealed in them are known to exist.Whether they are in regular use or not would be impossible to prove, but certainly many of the animals, admired for their obedience in the ring are exhibiting signs of fear, not compliance. Circus owners and proprietors would obviously take a very different view. They claim that there is no cruelty involved in training circus animals that the animals enjoy performing and that constant traveling imposes no particular stress on them. They dismiss the RSPCA's concern as mere sentiment based on nothing more than personal preferences and prejudices. Abnormal behaviorBut the RSPCA is not concerned with sentiment or emotion. It exists to prevent cruelty towards animals, and here we are on firmer ground. International concern for the welfare of animals is increasing, and with it, the expertise in assessing the pain, stress and anxiety suffered by animals.It is an undeniable fact that certain methods of training and transportation of circus animals do positively cause pain or stress and sometimes lasting damage. Gross distortions of natural behavior patterns which are frequently observed in old or retired circus animals are positive indications of long-term stress or anxiety. Circuses which include animal acts are relics of a bygone age, an age which permitted bear-baiting and cock-fighting, when compassion towards any animal would have been regarded with suspicion. Not only do they inflict an unnatural way of life on animals, they degrade and humiliate them. Circuses are a complete anachronism at a time when the need has never been greater to protect and conserve the world's wild creatures. How can we possibly recognize this need and still permit circuses to subject animals to close confinement, constant travel and a totally alien way of life in the name of "entertainment"? THE RSPCA IS TOTALLY OPPOSED TO EXHIBITIONS OR PRESENTATIONS OF ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES AND TRAVELING MENAGERIES. What you can doThink. The only way circuses with performing animals can continue to exist is with your support. Withdraw that support. The RSPCA doesn't want to spoil anybodys fun, but the circus is no fun for animals. If your children want to visit a circus with animal acts tell them the facts and then see if they are still as enthusiastic. Children are remarkably sensitive to animal cruelty. Join the RSPCA and add your voice to the growing voice of opposition to circuses with performing animals.
More InformationIf having read this leaflet, you would be interested in knowing more about performing animals and the RSPCA's concern for them, the Society has produced a detailed booklet, "Animals in Circuses", which is available free on receipt of a large stamped addressed envelope, from RSPCA, Wildlife Department, Causeway, Horsham, Sussex RH12 1HG, UK.Performing animals and their welfare is just one part of the work of the RSPCA. The Society is concerned with every aspect of animal welfare and thus with all animals. It produces a wide range of literature on specialist subjects such as Pet Animals, Research Animals, Farm Animals as well as general information on the activities of the Society -- both for adults and children. THE CIRCUS IS NO PLACE FOR ANIMALSThe RSPCA believes that it is impossible that the activities of circus animals can ever achieve any worthwhile goals in either education, research or conservation. They must always rely on a show of man's dominance over the animal and will inevitably always present a distorted view of wildlife. Therein lies their futility.IT'S YOUR CHOICE |