Animal Rights Group Calls For Circus Animal Seizurers

by Sheepstealer Sun Jul 23, 2006 18:40

Circuses containing wild animals such as kangaroos, elephants etc., should be prohibited in Ireland from carrying on business, they are simply a front for animal cruelty. These animals live a sad life in captivity in tiny cages with very little space to maneouvre and can become extremely aggressive when confronted with an annoying adult or child (I don't blame them!) and are a great danger to the Irish general public. I wish the those people in Leinster House would get their act together and actually do something before some child or stupid adult gets brutality attacked by an animal venting its frustration at the life it is sentenced to by callous humans!

Circuses should only contain professional artists such as trapeze/acrobats and stuntmen/women and comedy acts. Animals, whose natural habitat is in the wild, have no place at all in them.

Shame on any parent who takes a child to a circus that subjects animals, under the threat of torture, to submit to carrying out such idiotic acts for their amusement! Bíodh ciall agat le do thoil!

Slán anois

by Gerri Sun Jul 23, 2006 20:50

It beggars belief that people consider the sight of wild animals such as big cats and elephants doing 'tricks' as entertainment. One has to draw the conclusion that the people who patronize circuses and places with this type of thing are either incredibly ignorant and callous or else just sadistic.

It doesn't take a genius to work out that wild animals are not made to perform on demand and that the methods used to train these creatures to do acts so alien to them are often barbaric and cruel.

Hopefully Irish people will vote with their feet, as we all become more enlightened. Hopefully we will cease frequenting events that contain the demeaning of these animals and the people who perpetuate this brutality.

by cruelty for a buck Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:07

this is awful news about kangaroo. i was just browsing the aran website and came across a joint report between them and animal defenders international this report is shocking and i did not know this cruelty existed in irish circuses but it does, please everyone have a look

http://www.ad-international.org/admin/downloads/ireland...g.pdf

by - Tue Jul 25, 2006 01:41

Decent safari parks will offer employment, eco-tourism and keep thousands of asian women in employment running up baseball caps & souvenir t-shirts. That would be an obvious investment in the future. Anyone in the loop knows we don't have enough cattle to ward off serious abductions. The previous attemps of the left to swing the Irish state to investing our extra wealth in celtic battle re-enactments & interpretive centres at Tara & in Wexford have left the asian sweat shop worker out of the loop. that is quite simply selfish of the Celtic Tiger.

But we can't all go running out and supporting the ALF. We've got to say no! to these types. We need a more diplomatic approach with a middle ranking U.S. senior statesman touring the region ahead of each proposed Circus performance.

at the very least.

Mammies and Daddies remember - "kangaroos carry fleas & lions eat kids. a puppy isn't just for Xmas. there's a fucking big war in the middle east."

which one is more "selfish" ?

look closely at this animal. don't let it the ALF release it into the wilds of Eire. We must stop the terrorists.

by The Wise Man Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:22

Although the word 'terrorists' is always used by people and industry supporting animal cruelty but in saying that even animal abusers have a right to protest too. I invite you to please visit

http://www.animalliberationfront.com

Next i ask that you please watch the story and rescue of britches it shows the Animal Liberation Front in action doing what these amazing people do best saving lives and highlighting the terrible cruelty hidden behind closed off doors, its only about 10 minutes long and dont worry it will play on the screen no technical stuff on your behalf, please do watch it for everyone reading this because it will break your heart.

by catlady - ARAN Thu Jul 27, 2006 01:32

Firstly, those of us concerned with the torture of animals in circuses are also concerned with the torture of animals anywhere else it happens to be taking place. To a logical mind, the implication is obvious. For the less logically minded visitors to this page, I will state it as simply as possible.

Yes, abandoned monkeys and kangaroos anger me. Yes, stories such as that of Britches anger me too, and I hold those responsible for saving him from a life of continued fear, agony and depression in the highest esteem. My anger at all forms of animal exploitation also includes the asian sweat shop workers, the little girls excised in the name of tradition in Africa and the victims of war in the middle east, and my admiration extends wholeheartedly to those who combat such atrocities every day.

The person who mentioned this particular war has neglected to evoke the scenes of carnage which occur on a daily basis in the Congo and the Sudan. Perhaps, like non-human animals, he/she finds their suffering of less importance, or perhaps he/she is simply ignorant of anything that does not make the SKY News headlines for more than five seconds.

The point is, AR activists and supporters do care about humans. Humans are animals, just like dogs, cats, kangaroos and elephants. The struggle for animal rights is broader than this person seems to realise, as it encompases environmental and human rights issues by its very nature. Their lifestyle choices, the sacrifices they make on a daily basis, have an effect on all of these areas.For example, he consumption of flesh leads to large scale pollution and deforestation. Avoiding meat therefore has a positive effect on the environment and on the lives of the animals (both human and non-human) who depend on it for their very survival.

Africans were not the only ones to suffer under slavery. Non-human animals are not the only ones to suffer under the current capitalist system and those who exploit them have no qualms about exploiting any subaltern group. The pharmaceutical companies who torture beagles in labs to show that smoking causes cancer (yes, it is STILL happening!) have no problem using sick asian children to try out new drugs without informed consent. The trade in organs between Israel and the impoverished citizens of India is flourishing. AR activists, like HR and environmental activists have more in common than certain people imagine. All wish to live in a world where the exploitation of those without a voice comes to an end.

Just thought i would clear that up.

by Gloria Thu Jul 27, 2006 03:28

...your contribution is the most intelligent one so far to this debate. I hesitate to describe people as 'stupid' so maybe afflicted with poor powers of analysis would be a better fitting label to apply to those who point the finger at animal rights/welfare activists as uncaring towards human animals or this issue as unimportant.

As we all share the same world, the struggle for better conditions for animals is also that for the environment, the planet and benefits humans. Also, somebody whose 'profession' is to torture animals for a living and gets paid for this must be an unwell person, to be able to carry out these acts. Hasn't an irrefutable link been established between those who torture animals without being paid and then graduate to people??

The struggle against injustice, torture and suffering needs be on behalf of all.

by Ciaran Long - Alliance For Animal Rights Thu Jul 27, 2006 08:46

Well said!!! Totally agree with you both.

by cool j Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:33

That PDF download from ARAN say it all - Makes for truely shocking viewing - Those people shouldn't be let anywhere near animals - They are as sick in the head as those who torture animals in the name of the cosmetics industry etc. - The Minister who has the power to end all this in the morning is Dick Roach, though I wouldn't hold too much hope on that since he can'nt even sort out the onging stray dog massacre taking place all over the Country by various Co. Co. even though it would take little more than a stroke of a pen to end puppy-farming and set up a proper neutering and micro-chipping scheme!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

by Gloria Thu Jul 27, 2006 23:22

It would be useful if AFAR or INIS could post details of next protest, otherwise if details could be left of who to contact to find this out.

Thanks

C

by catady Fri Jul 28, 2006 13:49

Nuala Donlon (CAPS) phone number is at the end of the original article on this page. Or check out other posts by Bernie Wright for contacts for AFAR. Alternatively, check out the websites of the various groups for contacts. All the groups are only to happy to have interested people come help out at a protest, or just generally lend support. If you are based in Galway you can give me a buzz on 085 1338095. I am mostly involved with ARAN at the moment but will help out locally whenever anything is going on in the west.

by bessie Thu Aug 27, 2009 12:43

People always seem to be against animals performing when it is in a circus, and not anywhere else. Animals CAN be kept well in circuses, and it is my belief that circus welfare has improved vastly over the last 10 - 20 years. People claim that 'barbaric' whips and ankuses are used to train the animals. In fact, whips and other things that can hurt are used with most large animals (with horses, people use a riding crop, cattle are hit with sticks or pieces of pipe to control them, and most captive elephants have to be controlled with a whip or a ankus.) If you go to a circus, you will see that whips and ankuses are used as arm extensions, are waved and cracked to give animals their cue and are also used to keep animals under control. People say that it is cruel to make 'wild' animals perform tricks. Most animals in the circus are captive bred, and are used to captivity. Training them is just like training a pet, because they have never been wild, and are used to people. Those that were born in the wild (mainly elephants) were taken many many years ago as babies, and many came from logging camps in Asia, so were used to people. It is never thought of as cruel to teach dogs tricks, and if you think about it, it is unnatural for an animal to sit when you tell it to. Parrots are taught tricks by owners, and many of them were born in the wild, and sit in small cages all day. I very recently visited a circus in Ireland. I was against animal circuses before then, but was curious about how the animals really were cared for and went and had a look. They were all in large pens, and had room to move properly and graze. None were confined to cages, and none were showing any stereotypical behaviors, and they all looked happy an well cared for. In the ring, the whip was only used to give signals, and animals were fed treats after they had done there tricks, and they all seemed very confident and weren't nervous at all. I really do encourage anyone who is against animal circuses, to really take a closer look at their care. Many of the animal rights activists have never seen what goes on in the ring, and they are protesting against something that they have never seen. Believe me, I was against animal circuses until I went to see one, and was so impressed that I encourage everyone against them to go to one, and see the truth.

by Ed Fri Aug 28, 2009 04:59

There are generally 4 areas of concern where non humans are exploited by circuses. There may be other areas. There may also be areas of concern for the humans who work within the circuses. The advertising of non humans towards children should also be cause for worry. Just like McDonald s, what they're selling is not healthy, no matter how glossy the posters.

For the non humans these areas of concern are:

1) How they are "trained". This takes place in what are called winter quarters, which are always away from the eyes of the public. Uncover investigations have revealed the methods employed. And yes large sticks, poles, the ankus, whips and the odd rake are used. And not as arm extensions unless the word "arm" is meant to imply weapon.

2) How they are transported. Circuses cart animals around thousands of miles each year from site to which ever site will have them next. The circus can move and often does move a number of times a week from these temporary hold ups. 3 or 4 times a week is not uncommon. The animals that travel with the circus will never know permanent dwellings while on the road which has been known to last all year in some cases but is more often from 10 to 11 months of the year. While traveling, the non human animals will spend their time in the backs of trailers or "beast wagons". First class always seems to be booked up.

3) How they are confined. Once the circus sets up, the non humans will be confined in small pens, trailers or cages. Animals such as tigers will have the luxury of a 40 ft trailer to share with other tigers and lions. Elephants may be chained. Horses may be be kept in pens as may Shetland Ponies, Dogs, Camels, Hippos and Rhinos. These may be on concrete, tarmac or muddy ground depending on the nature of the site. Sometimes the pen is some crowd control fencing, other times a strand of electric fence is expected to do the trick. The animals will spend the greatest part of their life on site either waiting to do pointless tricks in the big top or waiting to be transported to the next location. Their natural needs are suppressed in favour of the amusement of humans.

4) The performance. The big top is where the magic takes place. Everything is geared up towards these 5 minutes that the non humans will await to show humans what they've "learned" at the subtle touch of their "caring" circus masters. Lions will show they can jump through a hoop or cower to the whip of the "brave" lion tamer. Horses, camels and Shetlands get to stand on their hind legs, carry people who may or may not stand on their backs or maybe jump over a pole. Alligators and penguins get to walk around the circus ring, lucky them. Humans get to not care.

The circuses will and often do say how great the animals are "cared" for until the next exposure of physical violence, mental violence, or simple neglect is revealed. Incidentally, some of the reports found that water was hard to come by from these custodians of "care".
"No consideration is given to the needs of the animals. This was particularly highlighted during observations of the Mexican Circus in January 2000, where animals were left incarcerated in their transporters for up to 43 hours without free access to water, and with no opportunity whatsoever to exercise" stated the ADI report entitled "Stop circus suffering, circuses in Ireland"
http://www.ad-international.org/admin/downloads/ireland...g.pdf
The Mexican Circus for those interested was run by the Courtney s. They now operate nearly half the circuses in Ireland such as the American 2 Ring, Circus Vegas, Circus New York. Different names same clowns.

Whether other large animals are hit with pipes, sticks or the ankus is a condemnation of why those animals are used. It is not a justification for circuses to do so.
Whether a parrot is kept in a cage is a condemnation of why parrots are used. It is not a justification for circuses to do so.

Why are non humans animals used by human animals? Circus owners, circus workers and the public who pay for this, form the opinion that it's ok to use animals for their amusement. This opinion will deprive these non humans of their most crucial interests, suppress their most basic needs and deny their rights. And for what?

For more info on circuses:
http://www.irishcircuses.org/roc/full_report_jan2007.pdf
http://www.irishcircuses.org/index.html
http://www.ad-international.org/animals_in_entertainmen...si=10