Posted on 01/31/2009 6:03:10 PM PST by markomalley
One of the most iconic images of American life, that of circus elephants joined trunk-to-tail as they lumber along to delight “children of all ages,” as the old saying goes, is about to be debated in a courtroom.
Are the beasts docile because they are highly intelligent and respond well to training, reinforced with the promise of apples, carrots, water and kindness at day’s end? Or do they obey because their spirits have been broken and they fear getting hit by their trainers?
These are among the questions that will be asked when a lawsuit by a coalition of animal rights’ groups against the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus and its parent company opens in federal court here on Wednesday.
In the complaint, the plaintiffs say the circus’s Asian elephants sleep and travel in cramped, filthy quarters and are routinely prodded, even bloodied, with special clubs or “bull hooks.” The idea that the animals are happy “and allowed to roam free and to socialize” is an illusion created by the circus and its parent, Feld Entertainment Inc. of Vienna, Va., the plaintiffs say.
But the defendants say in court papers that the elephants are “healthy and well cared for” and that they are attended to by veterinarians around the clock. The elephants’ quarters are roomy and well ventilated, heated when necessary, and tended by crews with shovels and hoses at the ready, the defendants say.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
This wouldn’t be an issue if it were a herd of donkeys
I hate circuses and clowns!
Simply ask the elephants what they think.
iiiidiots!
Seems to me it would be pert near impossible to FORCE an elephant to do ANYTHING it didn’t want to.
Ya think Zero will socialize the veterinarians? I’ve got my lab on doggie morphine, maybe we could get some doggie riatlin for my rottie. He needs therapy.
Well, and maybe a trampoline.
Probably. I *think* Schwarz is trying to tax our vet services out here...
>> Suit Challenges Image of Circus Elephants as Willing Performers
Who needs elephants when there are so many willing rhinos.
Yes it would, a few years ago there was an act at the local county fair that had diving donkeys. They jumped off of boards into water! Peta protested everyday they were here
There. Fixed it.
I remember watching Elephant Walk as a child and being terrified watching the elephants stampede the tea plantation.
Why the barf alert? Are you in favor of cruelty to animals?
Yes, absolutely. Of course. Isn't everybody?
In seriousness, it would be foolishness for a circus owner to mistreat very expensive animals (poor resource management). I am also certain that the SPCA in any place where circuses appear keep a VERY close eye on all the performing animals already.
This warrants a barf alert because it seems like another silly PETA-type animal rights circus (IMHO).
I misstate SPCA...I mean the local "animal cops"
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