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Chenelle Cates

Professor Graue

Online ENG 1201

19 March 2019

Merciless Animal Cruelty in Circuses

For decades circuses have been associated with exciting and dare-devil entertainment;

however, recent studies have shown that many circus shows house the gravest animal brutality.

People have attended circus since the early 1700s, when weird and unexplainable things were

showcased to townspeople. As time progress circus began to incorporate flexible people, known

as acrobats. Others, known as clowns, would wear costumes and makeup to perform in circus

acts. At the beginning of the circus era, shows were not centered around animal performances.

However, as traveling circus shows became more prevalent so did the usage of exotic animals.

The animals were taken from their natural habitat to entertain humans.

In order to get animals to corporate, they were beaten by handlers. Animal cruelty in

circuses has always been a problem that society has continued to ignore. Irene Hilton is one of

several people who decide that circus animals deserve equality. Irene, a well-respected animal

rights representative, felt, “appalled by the suffering that animals were subjected to as part of the

entertainment industry and founded the organization which was to become Freedom for Animals

(then named Captive Animals’ Protection Society). Her aim was to bring about a change in both

practices and attitudes” (“History”). It was not until the late 1950s when Irene realized the torture

those animals were facing. Irene created an organization that aided the prevention of animal
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cruelty in circuses. Even though people were striving for a change, there is still little precautions

to prevent the torment from occurring.

To begin, circus animals are kept in horrible living conditions and are beaten into

submission on a daily basis. Families go to circuses to see acrobats doing death-defying tricks,

clowns hitting each other with pies, and to see exotic animals do cool tricks. Families do not

consider the pain those exotic animals go through to perform such amazing stunts. After shows

animals are forced into small cages and get no freedom. Animals that perform in circus acts were

not meant for the entertainment business; they belong in their natural habitat which is roaming

free in the wild. The United States should issue a ban on animal use in circuses because animals

are suffering both mentally and physically which is inhumane and can lead to rage outbursts and

or death.

Furthermore, circus animals go through extreme neglect and abuse which is unfair and

unethical. Handlers can be aggressive by hitting and stabbing the elephant with sharp sticks

which affects the animals’ mindset as a whole. Circuses are not a safe environment for animals

because they cause emotionally and physically distress. Circus animals are forced to perform and

do tricks that are inhumane to their species. Animals should not have to live in confinement for

the entertainment of humans. Animals deserve to live in their natural habitat and they should be

treated with kindness. The suffering of the animals induces a feeling of sympathy for their cause.

The goal ultimately is to help promote awareness of the cruelty circus animal face and to get

people to make a difference. Animal abuse in circuses is underrated and it needs to be brought to

the public’s eye. Animals can not voice their abuse so humans need to take a stance.
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Fig. 1. This is an illustration of a baby elephant being prodded with a stick and being tied with

ropes. This image shows what happens behind the scenes of circus shows. (“The Harsh

Reality”).

Additionally, there are different aspects of the circus business that negatively impacts

animals and their mental status. Being deprived of liberty can lead circus animals to feel

depressed. Since these animals are not able to roam freely, they become inactive and do not carry

the will to live. The animals undergo psychological torment due to traveling, perform unnatural

tricks, and enduring imprisonment. The abnormal behaviors of circus entertainment cause

animals to live in great stress which is unhealthy. ​Animal Equality,​ a informational network

article, states, “tricks are confusing and uncomfortable for the animals who invariably perform

against their will because they are afraid of the consequences or are deprived of something that

they need, such as food” (“Circuses”). Animals comply with performing tricks because they do

not want to deny the necessities of life. There have documented videos of circus handlers

violently abusing animals in circuses like the Chipperfields Circus.

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The fear of being beaten creates a void in animals causing some to act aggressively or in

despair. Animals can develop eating disorders because of the anxiety and stress they experience.

There is no way for circus animals to voice the wrongdoing, so they are silently abused and

beaten by handlers. Small cages cause animals to feel hopeless and sad because they do not get

to explore the wild and live like normal animals. The mental status of circus animals is at stake,

when being confined for long periods of time.

Fig. 2. This image shows the comparison between chained circus animal and wild animals.

Circus animals live in terrible condition and have inadequate space to thrive, while wild animals

are able to roam freely in their natural habitat (Cates).

Correspondingly, circus entertainment also can cause physical pain and abuse towards

animals. Many circus animals are kept in horrible conditions; furthermore, some fatally abuse

when they do not show compliance. Animals are physically impacted several of ways each varies
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depending on the circumstance. Some animals are injured while doing stunts and tricks leading

to being physically disabled. There is a case of a baby elephant falling off of a circus pedestal

and breaking its legs, as a result, the elephant was euthanized because it was not properly taken

care of. Animals are not made to jump through fire and balance on circus balls, so it is likely for

animals to get injured during circus shows. As previously stated, animals can be beaten by the

handlers if they refuse to perform tricks.

Animals such as elephants and tigers are whipped with large sticks or deprived of food

when they do not act accordingly.​ Animal Equality​ writes, “A range of physical injuries and

illnesses have also been observed in circus animals. These include lions suffering joint problems,

horses with hoof problems, injuries from chains, cage doors and bars, injuries from abusive

workers or conspecifics, infections and lameness” (“Circuses”). Circus animals can be injured in

several different ways due to the workers’ carelessness. Physical effects do not have to occur

immediately some can occur over time. For example, an elephant can develop arthritis from

standing on concrete stairs and executing unusual tricks. Animals can also contract diseases and

infection because they are kept in small, unsanitary spaces. These illnesses can lead to death.

When animals become can no longer perform or are too ill, they are put to death by the

companies. Circuses do not want sick and old animals performing because that would drive away

customers; therefore, they rid of any animals that are deemed ran down or non-functional. To the

handlers and circus company the animals only serve one purpose and when they can no longer

serve that purpose they are disposable.

As a result of constant abuse, circus animals can be seen as a threat to humans. Animals

can act aggressively out of fear which leads to people being injured. These animals live in agony
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so it is likely for them to have rage outburst. They might also see an opportunity to escape the

circus life. In 1992, during the Great American Circus performance, an elephant suddenly bolted

with several children on her back. She was shot many times before she eventually died. Animals

Rights Foundation of Florida is a well credited organization that represent animal equality rights.

A.R.F.F writes, “Since 1990, 17 humans have died and over 100 injured in incidents involving

captive elephants in the United States” (“The Circus”). There are many known cases of elephant

rampages and other animals trying to escape the harsh circus life. Animals seem to know that

they were not made to live in cages. These animals are meant to live freely in the wild and circus

shows are preventing that from happening. Circus animals are not receiving the equality they

deserve.

Nature provides a sense of liberty to animals that humans are choosing to ignore.

Animals find different ways to communicate that they do not enjoy being locked in cages.

Humans need to be advocates for the lives of circus animals. Some are born into the circus life

and never experience true freedom. Instead, they are beaten into submission and forced to enact

unusual tricks. It is possible for these animals to have “blackouts” due to the stress they are put

under. During these episodes, innocent bystanders could be hurt because of the pain handlers put

animals through. Circus animals are slaves of this century and they need to be set free. Animals

have a breaking point just like humans so when put under tons of stress they can snap. Since

animals have wild instincts it is unsafe for any handler or human to be around when an animal is

outraged.

In the same fashion, animals are becoming an endangered species because of circus

entertainment. Animals such as tigers, elephants, and bears are the most common circus animals.
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These species are captured by poachers and condemned to a miserable life in the circus. Certain

species of tigers are now deemed as endangered because circuses are constantly capturing and

killing these animals. Baby elephants are forcibly removed from their mothers; therefore, causing

a lack of proper nutrition. Animal Rights Foundation of Florida states, “Most of the elephants in

circuses were captured from their natural habitats, in Africa or Asia, in the 1960s and 70s, before

they were declared Endangered Species” (“The Circus”). For many years, circuses have been

capturing wild animals from their natural habitat. Over time those animals become less popular

in nature because they are bred to perform. When the circuses take animals there is a chance of

making that specific species become endangered or extinct. Circus animals are normally not set

free at the end of the journey. As previously said, when animals become ran down or ill they are

eventually executed by handlers because they no longer serve a purpose. This act of killing

circus animals lead to species being on the endangered list.

However, recently the Endangered Species has protected the safety of most of those

animals. But the act does not prevent any other species from becoming endangered. Also, it is

possible for circuses to illegally obtain animals which does nothing to prevent animals from

being protected by laws. Animal go through many troubles when forced into circus life. These

animals simply just want to roam free and not worry about whether they are going to be beaten to

death the next day. Animals deserve equal protection from circuses and should not be subjected

to a life in dismal.

Moreover, circus animal cruelty in unethical and is beyond reasoning. Society has always

classified people in a social hierarchy. People who were seen as unworthy or not capable were

put at the bottom of the hierarchy. People towards the top were wealthy and treated in
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abundance. While people towards the bottom were poor peasants who ignored basic rights. The

world has always categorized people in systems and stereotypes. It is no different for animals.

Humans are seen a superior to any other mammals. Therefore, humans have an instinct to treat

animals as if they were objects. Yorman Carmeli, a well educated scholar, writes, “Modernity's

order of commodification and objectification is nostalgically and playfully transcended through

the total objectification embodied in a circus animal body” (Carmeli 65). Circus animal abuse

demonstrates society’s need to categorize people and object. Society has unknowingly created a

repetitive cycle of treated living things like objects. Circuses showcase this theory as animals are

treated as objects. Objectification is the act of degrading a person and or animals and treating as

if they are items/objects. To be treated like an object is to have all of the basic rights denied. The

right to freedom and protection is denied.

Humans renounce circus animals right for their own profit. It is unfair to animals to

objectify them and treat them less than because they are different. Animals deserve the same

rights and respect as any other. Humans are becoming too dominant over species because they

feel as though they are the superiors. Circus companies see a way to make money and profit so

they do not mind that animals are being hurt in the process. Some are blind to the harm that they

are causing because they are so focused on the outcomes. Outcomes mean nothing if people or

animals are being hurt in the process. Handlers are causing unnecessary pain to innocent animals

which is wrong. Animals do not desire to be disrespected by humans. They do not want to live in

confinement, they have no intention of harming people. Why is the United States ignoring the

help circus animals need?

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For these reasons, people need to stand for change in the circus industry. People should

begin to voice and speak on the topic of animals cruelty. Animals are confined and are not able

to get adequate exercise. Circus animals perform weird tricks out of fear of pain. Effective action

for circus animal cruelty begins with the community. It is up to the community to promote

change in the industry. Different strategies to promote this cause are peaceful protests or

educational conferences. There have been many reports of students boycotting circuses because

they do not want to support the cruelty. Hemel Gazette, a professional news source, reports a

2007 protest, “Animal rights campaigners are urging residents to boycott a circus at Redbourn

showground this week because it uses a 54-year-old arthritic elephant” (“Call to Boycott”).

People to take the necessary measures in order to save future animals from being abused. There

are many methods of protesting circuses. People can create an informational booth that expose

the truth and have it station near the circus. Someone can write a letter to the local newspaper;

the people who read newspapers will then know about animal cruelty.

The boycotting of a circus will instantly eliminate their revenue which will lead to the

foreclosure of the business. A circus can also decide to remove animals from shows. Cirque du

Soleil does not utilize animals in their productions. All circuses should support this ideal. Circus

animals are not actors, they are prisoners. It is unfair to animals to sit back and turn a blind eye.

Human must help circus animals because they can not show society the abuse that is occurring.

The only way this cruelty will stop is through constructive educative and boycotting circus cruel

operations.

Lastly, there are no specific laws that ban circus animals in the United States. Circuses

are allowed to have animals in the U.S., this does not prevent animals from being abused. People
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are not taking a large enough stand to implement laws to protect circus animals. The Animal

Welfare Act exist to aid in prevention. However, it is not guaranteed that people will follow the

rules. MSPCA is a professional article that provides information about laws regarding animal

equality. MSPCA article states, “ the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) requires that minimum

standards of care and treatment be provided to warm-blooded animals traveling with circuses.

However, violations of the AWA are an everyday occurrence in circuses” (“Circus Animal

Welfare”). The welfare act only better the living condition of circus animals. Circuses do not

care about the animals as long as they are bringing in money. Even though an act exists, people

are ignorant and may not follow those standards put in place.

Endangered Species Acts only protects the circus animals who are on the endangered list.

This does not preserve the other animals that are regularly abused. Convention on International

Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora or “CITES” manages the international

trade of specific species. This means that in order for circuses to bring particular species to the

U.S. they must have a legitimate license. The Lacey Act forbids the import, sale, purchase, etc.

in interstate or foreign commerce for any live animal and wildlife. There are explicit state laws

that monitor and maintain circuses. The arrangement may include no killing for pleasure, decent

living conditions, or a circus must be licensed. For example, Ohio’s state law regarding circuses

is that they are not allowed to use certain devices on circus animals like hooks and rods. While

these laws to regulate certain parts of a circus enterprise, they do not entirely prevent animals

from being held captive. They also do not restrict animals from being psychologically and bodily

abuse. It is time for laws to protect all animals from cruelty and circuses’ horrible conditions.
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Animals in circuses must be outlawed by effective legislation. Animals are put through

relentless abuse in the circus which is inhumane. At first, circuses did not include animals but as

time proceeded animals were incorporated into shows. Now it is likely for animals to be seen in

shows, but animals began to be abused more often. Circus animals are mentally abused and can

become discouraged and develop anxiety due to pressure. Physical abuse is caused by

enchainment and lack of exercise. Animals are executed when they are no longer used for profit.

Some animals can act out of anger and hurt people. Elephants can go on rampages trying to

escape the misery of circus life. Animals do not willingly do tricks. It is not their natural

behavior to jump through fire and balance on cement stands.

Circus animals are exploited and lacerated for greed. Animals should be able to lo live

wild and free in their own habitat. It is unscrupulous to keep those animal locked up in cages

against their will. Babies have torn away from their mother and doe not receive decent

nourishment. There are many human performers who want to have a job in the circus. So animals

do not necessarily need to be in shows because they can be replaced by humans. People need to

protest and boycott circuses in order to prevent further abuse of animals. Current laws do not

fully guard the lives of circus animal; therefore, the violation still occurs in today’s society. It is

because of social ideas that animals are only objects that circus cruelty happens. People would

not appreciate being locked in cages and beaten into submission so why treat animals in such a

horrible fashion? Animals deserve freedom and equal rights for protection from remorseless

humans.
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Works Cited

“Call to Boycott ‘Unfair’ Circus.” ​Hemel Gazette (Hemel Hempstead, England),​ 2007.

EBSCOhost​,

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Carmeli, Yoram S. “‘Cruelty to Animals’ and Nostalgic Totality: Performance of a Travelling

Circus in Britain.” ​International Journal of Sociology & Social Policy,​ vol. 22, no. 11/12,

Nov. 2002, pp. 73–88. ​EBSCOhost​, doi:10.1108/01443330210790201.

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“Circuses.” ​Animal Equality,​ 19 Sept. 2012, www.animalequality.net/entertainment/circuses.

“Circus Animal Welfare • MSPCA-Angell.” ​MSPCA​,

www.mspca.org/animal_protection/circus-animal-welfare/​.

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www.actionforanimalsaustin.org/anti-circus-campaign/why-protest-the-circus/.