I would like to remind your readers that the circus is coming to town and ask them not to attend. I believe using live animals in a circus is an outdated and abusive form of entertainment. Just last November the USDA fined Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus $270,000 for violating the Animal Welfare Act. The citations are sad to read. Many people do not know that a 3-year-old baby elephant named Kenny died here in Jacksonville after being forced to perform in two shows despite obvious signs of illness. At least 26 Ringling elephants, including four babies, have died since 1992!
There are many circuses, including Cirque du Soleil, The New Pickle Circus, Circus Oz, and Cirque Eloize that do not use animals but offer clowns, trapeze artists, jugglers and other talented human performers. Circuses that use animals only teach children that we can confine and dominate over animals. This new petition “The City of Jacksonville: Say no to cruelty and protect public health by banning animal circuses” now has over 1530 signatures. A website with more details is www.jaxprotest.com.
Ten states have imposed a ban in various localities. In the state of Florida, Hollywood, Lauderdale Lakes and most recently Margate are on the list. On 12/14/11 Margate officials banned devices such as electric prods, bull hooks, chains and other devices used by circuses to control animals. I’d like Jacksonville to evolve with these others cities and hope others will share my compassionate point of view.
Sincerely,
Link to local Jax petition http://www.change.org/petitions/the-city-of-jacksonville-say-no-to-cruelty-and-protect-public-health-by-banning-animal-circuses
Link to article on Kenny who died in Jacksonville. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/28/ringling-bros-feld-fined-usda-animal-welfare_n_1117584.html
For pictures of training and local protestors check out www.jaxprotest.com
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