Ever wonder if demonstrations at circuses have an effect?
Shannon Kimball, Humane Educator for tells us that circus demonstrations are making a difference. Shannon routinely gives presentations in Minnesota schools about widening our circle of compassion to include animals. He passed along the following stories.
"Three students in one of my Circle of Compassion presentations on Oct 22nd (following the circus weekend at the Target Center) said they received 'flyers from people while going into the circus last weekend.' One girl said she rode an elephant and [it appeared as though] he had bruises all over him. Receiving a flyer before riding the elephant helped her realize more about the situation than she would have otherwise. Four days later I returned to the class to demonstrate an elephant bullhook."
He continues: "Also, as something we can do to increase the circle [of compassion to include] animals, I mention how we should learn more about them: their intelligence, emotions, family bonds, and natural lifestyles. How does their natural lifestyle compare to their captive environment, for example? On Dec 3rd during another Circle of Compassion presentation where I show the bullhook one student said he saw people holding signs outside of the Target Center. It came back to him when I asked the class what they thought elephants do when they're in between shows and not on stage."
All of our efforts- educational outreach, protests, letters to the editor, lobbying, and contacting corporate sponsors- help raise awareness, decrease ignorance, and reinforce the message of compassion. Thank you for all the ways you help animals!
Domestic Violence Linked to Animal Cruelty
Most people consider their pets members of the family. Unfortunately, when it comes to domestic violence, pets are also deemed part of the family unit and forced to suffer in silence at the hands of abusers. Some studies estimate that 88% of companion animals living in households where domestic violence occurs are routinely threatened, harmed or even killed.
In cases of spousal, child or elder abuse, a beloved family pet can become a pawn for an abuser who is willing to injure or kill the animal as a form of revenge, to create isolation, or to intimidate his or her victims. ASPCA Special Agents often witness this trend firsthand. "We see a connection between animal abuse and domestic violence all the time," says Special Investigator Diane DiGiacomo. "For example, we'll go out and investigate a complaint of animal abuse and find that the children have already been removed from the home or that the suspect has a history of spousal abuse."
Studies also show that 50% of domestic violence victims delay seeking help for fear that an abuser will harm a pet. At least 11 states have enacted legislation to allows pets to be included in domestic violence-related orders of protection. This means a court can order an abuser to stay away from an animal or impose other conditions to protect the pet's safety—violations could result in arrest.
To learn more about the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty, or to find out how you can lobby for stronger legislation to protect animal victims of domestic violence, visit ASPCA.org. If you or your pet is a victim of a violent crime, please call 911 or your local law enforcement.
Ringling Trial Update
In late December 2009, Judge Emmet Sullivan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed for lack of standing an animal cruelty lawsuit against the owner of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey traveling circus. He declined to address the merits of the case.
The groundbreaking lawsuit, brought against Ringling Bros.' parent company Feld Entertainment, Inc. (FEI) by four national animal advocacy groups and former Ringling Bros. employee Tom Rider, revealed evidence establishing the physical, emotional and behavioral harm inflicted upon elephants by the circus.
During the six-week trial, which was held earlier last year, testimony of elephant abuse was not only elicited from plaintiffs' witnesses, but from circus witnesses as well. Kenneth Feld, Chief Executive Officer of FEI admitted under oath that "all" of the elephant handlers "strike" the elephants with bull hooks, and Gary Jacobson, general manager of the circus' breeding farm in Florida, testified that most of the female elephants are kept chained on two legs for at least 16 hours a day on concrete floors, and that some of them are kept on chains for 23.5 hours a day at FEI's "Center for Elephant Conservation."
Here's a link to the judge's opinion.
Although Ringling Brothers Circus prevailed in court, two recent investigations by PETA have helped cement Ringling's poor public image.
Investigation and Whistleblower Stories
In 2009, PETA went undercover at "the saddest show on Earth" -- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus -- and captured Ringling workers on video as they beat and whipped elephants dozens of times in venues across the country. See the full story and video here.
Sam Haddock was an elephant handler who worked at Ringling's Center for Elephant Conservation (breeding and training center) in Polk City, Florida, between 1997 and 2005. Mr. Haddock was heavily involved in training baby elephants at Ringling and came to regret his career choice later in life. He provided PETA with never-before-seen photos to share with the public and help elephants.
Mr. Haddock's late wife had urged him to do the right thing and expose Ringling's treatment of elephants at its so-called "conservation center." A short time after providing PETA with dozens of disturbing images and a statement detailing how baby elephants are bound with ropes to break their spirits, Mr. Haddock passed away following a sudden illness. See the photos and read Mr. Haddock's statement here.
Join us for a DemoWe hold demonstrations at the Shrine Circus (at the Deltaplex in March) and the Ringling Bros. Circus (at the Van Andel arena) every season. Contact us for more info.
Circuses are not places for animals. They are forced to perform unnatural tricks through brute force, intimidation and beatings. When they are not performing, they are confined to chains, crates and small rail cars that reach extreme temperatures. Some animals have died in transportation due to neglect.
Please join us as we help educate our community about why the circus is not a humane entertainment choice for families.