I hope all those people who attended the Great British Circus and wrote letters to Mailbox in support of the performing elephants are now aware of their misguided opinions. ("Elephant beating filmed at circus", Mailbox, August 20).

Although the keeper who beat the elephant was dismissed, it is contemptible to say that the circus benefits spectators and gives them "pleasure from seeing animals working with people in harmony".

What benefits do the elephants receive? What pleasure do they experience?

It was stated, "the elephants move freely around their roomy accommodation".

I doubt this accommodation measures the hundreds of miles in which they would naturally roam.

The elephants are subjected to a lifetime of slavery in the name of "entertainment" and inspections by officials are meaningless.

They may have the basics of shelter, food and water but the normal behaviour of these intelligent, sentient animals is frustrated.

The sooner the use of animals in circuses is banned, the better.

Elizabeth Allison, Aylestone.