Animal abuse in circuses - Essay Example

Module Module ID: Animal Abuse in Circuses Introduction: The present paper looks for exploring the maltreatment of the animals in the circus shows and exhibitions at the hands of their owners on the one side, and discovering the ways essential for protecting the hapless and speechless creatures from the atrocities exercised on them by their cruel masters on the other. In addition, the paper is also determine in respect of presenting suggestions for the consideration of the political and governmental authorities, so that the rights of the wild and domestic animals, being abused in the circuses must be preserved in the same manner as per the statutes articulated for protecting animal life explicitly explain in respect of keeping the animals in houses, farms, work places and circus exhibitions etc. Animal Incarceration: Animals and birds serve as the most miserable creatures co-existing with the humans in the human-dominating societies of world at large. Though most of the animals, predominantly the wild beasts as well as domestic ones, are certainly far powerful and physically strong than humans in every way, yet it is human wit and extraordinary intellect that the comparatively far weaker creatures in physique is in a position to encage, ensnare and enslave the wild beasts through tricks and mental supremacy without letting the beasts to demonstrate their physical strengths against these deceitful trickery on their part. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of these poor animals are leading the life of misery and captivity in cages and snares in zoos, safari parks, circus centers and residences even for the entertainment and services f humanity. Abuses Inflicted upon the Speechless Creatures: Since the hunters have applied trickery in order to ensnare the wild beasts and animals, the keepers of these speechless creatures also observe the same trickery, though in a crueler manner, in order to employ services of various kinds from them. It is particularly the case with the ill-fated circus animals that have to undergo severe punishments and tortures at the hands of the circus administrators so that they could produce the performances of their choices during the circus exhibitions. Although zoo and circus owners claim that captive animals provide educational benefits, neither institution holds the same place in American culture as it once did (Bradshaw 2007). Not only this that they are deprived of proper food and diet, essential for them to survive and perform their services, but also they have to spend several hours a day in chains behind the bars even without having committed any offense or crime against humanity or other creatures of the world altogether. Strict religious prohibitions on animal sexual assault and other aspects of sexual behaviours guided most Western societies, but with the advent of the mid-nineteenth century, a “drift to tolerance” arose, in which a number of previously non-reproductive sexual practices no longer received strict censure (Gannet 2011). Thus, the animals were sexually abused too by humans during their keeping as pets or for circus purposes. Atrocities during Exhibitions: One of the most startling physical pains the speechless creatures experience includes the scarcity of food they undergo at the hands of their owners and keepers on regular foundations (Wilkes 2012). Since the animals have been gifted with the strongest physical powers, they certainly require sufficient food in order to keep body and soul together. It is especially the situation with lions, tigers, elephants and bears; though other animals including horses, donkeys, sheep and cows are not exceptional ones. Nevertheless, these animals, along with monkeys and goats, could rely upon cheap grass and leaves etc, though it is not the case with the beasts, as their food demands extraordinary expenses. Consequently, the circus administrators look for revenue generation out of the performances made by these wild beasts, so that not only this that they could be in a position to keep these animals with them, but also their personal financial gains could also witness tremendous boost with the passage of time. It is therefore they do not bother to improve the food quality and quantity of the animals even generating huge profits from their services and performances at large. One of the most painful and shameful shows presented by most of the circuses includes the brutal fight between one bound bear and two wild unbound dogs, during which the poor and hapless bound bear had to win in any way from the attacks of the wild cruel dogs. It is such a shameful scene that no spectator could witness the same for long, though the heartless and ruthless circus administrators repeat the same on regular basis. Similarly, the camels, horses, monkeys and other animals are left starved and bruised because of their minor faults while making performances at stage. The same is also the fate of the bulls that die during the bull fights arranged by the circuses. Demands for the Banishment of Circuses: Keeping in view all these facts and bitter realities, the animal rights protections societies have made demands for the imposition of absolute and unconditional banishment on all the exhibitions and recreational activities related to circuses and animal performances at large. Wild animals used in circuses and other travelling acts, according to the Humane Society of United States (2008), are routinely subjected to months on the road confined in small, barren cages. With few exceptions, the animals are provided with limited and inconsistent veterinary care. In addition, since the circus management does not pay any heed to the care, comforts and cleanliness of the animals, either due to lack of their experience regarding keeping the animals or lack of sympathies for them that the animals are aptly found in filthy and dilapidated enclosures and chained. Consequently, they undergo torture and antagonism for several hours a day in routine. It is therefore in order to protect these oppressed animals from torture and abuse, the societies have demanded ban on these exhibitions on permanent basis. Opinion of Circus Owners: On the one side, the animals’ rights activists appear to be protesting against animal abuse and suggesting complete boycott of circuses; and on the other side, the circus owners produce the evidence regarding their efforts in respect of providing the people with economical and genuine entertainment under an environment that is very close to nature in scope. The circus owners and administrators are of the view that the public looks for cheap and economical amusement in order to spend leisure time; which is provided by the circus owners only, who purchase the wild animals against high price, keep them under their supervision, look after their health, food and diet, and tame them in such a way under which they can provide entertainment to the people. The circus administration denies the very claim that the animals are kept hungry, thirsty and unattended altogether, and view that it is impossible to seek performance from the animals without providing them with appropriate food necessary for their survival and performances. Just as no humans can perform without taking diet, neither is it be possible for the animals to do the same without the satisfaction of their hunger and thirst. In addition, the circus administration has grave concerns regarding the health and fitness of the animals; if an animal is sick, it will not be in a position to act and react in exhibitions and shows altogether. Moreover, declining health of the animal could push it to death ultimately, costing the circus owners a huge loss. It is therefore the animals are provided with regular medical checks-up. Furthermore, they also argue that the circus people care the animals like their children. Since the parents also announce punishments to their children on non-compliance of their orders, the same is applied to the animals, which are tamed and trained with complete attention and dedication, which turns out to be extremely supportive in respect of providing entertainment to the public, which looks eager to get amused in a natural environment through the wild and big animals like lions, tigers, elephants, camels, bears and others. Moreover, they deal with the wild beasts by putting their own life in grave jeopardy. Since they do not hesitate in performing the dangerous, hazardous and arduous task of taming the wild beasts by putting their lives at stake, how could they be blamed for inflicting cruelties on the animals. Thus, the entire efforts made during training the animals costs the lives of their admin members too just for providing entertainment opportunities to the people, as well as for earning money out of it. The Animals Protection Laws: Several laws have been introduced, passed and imposed for the safety and welfare of the circus animals. Introduced by the US authorities in 1966, and lastly revised in 2007, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) manifestly lays stress upon the complete and regular inspection of the circus animals in order to investigate into the circus owners’ behaviour towards these creatures. The inspection would be conducted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Besides Endangered Species Act (ESA) and several other laws are also in vogue in various states and countries of the world in order to ensure the safety and care of the animals (Niedrich 2010). State and local laws have been enacted to augment federal regulations (Bradshaw 2007). The laws have also been introduced at state, city, and local levels seeking to limit animal acts and circus practices have increased. Suggestions to the Government: First and foremost duty regarding the protection of animals rights is passing of laws prohibiting all types of abuses on animals; and violation of which must put the offenders behind the bars along with imposition of heavy fines and physical punishments. Cruelty to animals was never an offense at common law, but developed from a long history of philosophical debates and state statutory regimes (Iannacone 2011). Observing strict penalty system against the animals abusers may help out in decreasing the abuse rate against the hapless creatures. Secondly, the authorities must arranged psychological examinations for the animals abusers, so that the reasons behind practicing such condemnable acts could be explored. Animal cruelty, according to Iannacone (2011), is recognized as a social issue that may inherently result from our relationships with other humans and may actually distort or inhibit empathy, making it even easier to disregard the feelings. It has aptly been observed that the individuals that had been abused in early part of life attempt to take revenge from others in any form on growing adults (Ollendorff 1978); the same state of affairs could also be experienced by the animals molesters, who afflict pains on the poor creatures in order to take revenge of the cruelties the society had exercised on them. One of the most formidable steps the authorities should take for the protection and well-being of the speechless creatures includes the creation of awareness through moral and ethical principles that the amusement people get out of the circuses is not the entertainment of the animals; on the contrary, the poor animals serve as the victim of the torture and abuse exercised by their trainers. Renowned early eighteenth English writer, poet and politician Joseph Addison (1672-1719) had rightly stated that true benevolence or compassion extends itself through the whole of existence and sympathizes with the distress of every creature capable of sensation (Better World Quotes). Consequently, the authorities must communicate to the people that they should not stress upon the circus management to arrange the shows that include unnatural performances of the wild beasts and animals. On the other hand, the appearance of these beasts in their natural instincts is sufficient for the entertainment instead of forcing them to show different performances. A powerful and wide-ranged campaign could also be launched through the print and electronic media in order to discourage the exercising of cruelties upon the animals at circuses in the name of entertainment. The internet, social media, films and TV can play an effective and influential part for the discouragement of inflictions made by the circus administrators on animals. The people interested in watching circus can also step forward for the eradication of mercilessness towards the speechless creatures. The services of writers, poets, artists and film directors could also be hired for the elaboration of ruthlessness the circus owners witness while dealing the hapless animals. The essays and songs elaborating the cruelties, and the gloomy music portraying the pains and cries of these animals could be highly impressive for the abolishment of circuses inflicting sufferings on the speechless creatures. In addition, the authorities must ban the taming and training of the beasts and animals altogether on permanent basis. Regular raids on the circus training activities must be conducted in order to protect them from the cruelties inflicted by the humans on them. Moreover, the training classes must be made compulsory for the circus staff, during which animal abuse must be declared to be a prohibited as well as an inhuman act. No license should be issued to the people who do not have got training before purchasing and keeping the animals. The authorities should declare the regular check up of all the animals being used for circus entertainments compulsory from the recognized and licensed veterinary hospitals or clinics at least once a fortnight in order to keep the authorities well-aware of the medical condition of the animals. Since no profession could be banned altogether including the circus, strict restrictions on the animal abuse could be supportive in discouraging the exploitations of the animals. Similarly, education and psychological training of the animal trainer staff must be declared as necessary for obtaining license for running and administering the circuses. Since education and psychological trainings turn out to be extremely helpful in respect of creating sense of responsibilities and consciousness in humans, these steps could prohibit them from exercising cruelties on the animals. Moreover, severe punishments must e announced on applying tortures on the animals, which should also be advertised at public scale. The news of such punishments and penalties on exercising cruelties on animals could turn out to be beneficial in respect of discouraging ill-treatment of animals. Another important step taken towards this direction includes the projection and promotion of the literature like Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (1877), which narrates the sorrowful and doleful story from the mouth of a horse, which is abused by many of its masters. Black Beauty Live (2011) was also adapted by James Stone and directed by Chris Ford in their movies, which had won great applause from all corners. Such films could also be made by focusing upon the lions, elephants and bears as well. The documentaries, films and movies on this subject could also be directed and exhibited by highlighting the crimes of the circus administrators on the part of the poor animals, which would not only discourage the people from visiting the circuses, but also the circus owners will also realize their offenses and faults towards the animals. Consequently, the animal abuse could be eliminated from the societies gradually. Parents, childcare providers, teachers, others who play care-giving roles for children (e.g., clergy, coaches), and young people themselves should be informed that animal abuse may be a significant sign of a tendency to violence and psychological disturbance and should not be ignored (Ascione 2001). The church ministries and the religious leaders belonging to all faiths must preach kindness and benevolence towards animals through their respective forums and rosters, so that the people must be convinced in a powerful manner, and the skin of the poor animals could be saved eventually. Works Cited Ascione, Frank R. Animal Abuse and Youth Violence Juvenile Justice Bulletin September 2001 1-13 Web. Bradshaw, G .A. Elephants in Circuses: Analysis of Practice, Policy, and Future Animals and Society Institute USA 2007 Retrieved from http://www.kerulos.org/projects/elephant_ptsd_assets/Bradshaw_ASI-Elephant_Policy-2007.pdf Accessed on 03-16-2013 Gannet, Jennifer Confronting Animal Abuse: Law, Criminology, and Human-Animal Relationships Journal for Critical Animal Studies, Volume IX, Issue 3, 2011 (ISSN 1948 Retrieved from http://academicpublishingplatforms.com/downloads/pdfs/jcas/volume1/201112281046_JCAS_vol3_2011_14.pdf Accessed on 03-16-2013 Iannacone, Stephens Felony Animal Cruelty Laws in New York Pace Law review Volume 31 Issue 2 Spring 2011 748-771 Web. Niedrich, Anastasia Animals in Circuses and the Laws Governing Them Animal Legal & Historical Center Michigan State University College of Law 2010 Retrieved from http://www.animallaw.info/articles/dduscircus.htm Accessed on 03-16-2013 Ollendorff, Robert, H. V. Juvenile Homosexual Experiences, and its Effects on Adult Sexuality. Tallis Press1974. Print. Wilkes, David Guilty of cruelty but not even fined: Circus owner who let Anne the elephant be chained and beaten walks free Daily Mail Newspaper November 23 2012 Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2237469/Guilty-cruelty-fined-Circus-owner-let-Anne-elephant-chained-beaten-walks-free.html Accessed on 03-28-2013 Humane Society of United States Circuses 2008 Retrieved from http://web.archive.org/web/20100507190049/http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/issues_facing_wildlife/circuses/index.html Accessed on 03-16-2013 Read More