“same show year on year . I remember seeing a parrot show abroad one year then got told how they get the parrot to do the tricks ..”

“I would urge everybody reading this article to watch a film called Earthlings.
You can watch it for free online.

If you think human use of non-humans, and all the inherent cruelty and suffering that involves, is in any way acceptable, this powerful and shocking film will change your mind - and you - forever:
http://tinyurl.com/old257”

“Agree with LM's comments.

I am an Abolitionist Vegan, and fully support an end to all non-human use for human pleasure and profit.

If you're against cruelty to non-human species (and cruelty includes slaughter of non-humans for food, the ownership of pets, use of non-humans for any form of human entertainment or profit etc, etc), then the moral baseline you should adopt is Abolitionist Veganism.”

“Emily - Infliction of physical punnishment is 'cruelty'. Deprivation is also 'cruelty'. Any animal in a circus is subject to at least one of these forms of CRUELTY - even the best circus in the world cannot provide a halfway suitable environment for an animal (especially an elephant for goodness sake).
As for 'getting away with it' - did you know that despite the 'Animal Welfare Act 2006', there are still no laws or regulations specifically covering circus animals - the Government hasn't bothered to write them yet - that's how circuses get away with it!”

“Boycott animal circuses

Animals don¿t belong in a circus. The constant transportation from town to town for ten months each year and confinement for long periods means that a travelling circus can never meet all of the needs of these animals, whether elephants, lions, tigers or horses.

Claims by circuses that animals are stimulated by performances are false. In fact, the same tricks are generally repeated for years.

Animals are trained away from the scrutiny of the public, politicians or welfare groups. Undercover investigations at circuses in the UK have revealed animals beaten with sticks, bars and whips and sick animals hidden from the RSPCA.

There is no educational value in seeing these once proud animals reduced to performing tricks in an unnatural environment. Circuses teach a lack of respect for animals.

CAPS is not opposed to circuses, only to the use of animals, and we encourage people to avoid animal circuses and instead visit one of the many excellent shows that rely entirely on human skills.

We also ask people to write to their MP, asking them to encourage the government to ban the use of animals in circuses.

Circuses YES, Animals NO.

Paul Thomas”

“I can only assume that anyone with negative comments about the use of animals in a circus don't have any pets at home? and are strict vegans? For example Amy states that if it lives and breathes it surely must make it's own decisions. I wonder how many dogs decided to live indoors and only be allowed out on a lead? or how many birds chose to live alone in a small cage rather than fly out in the wild? or how many fish chose to live in tanks rather than swim in the rivers and oceans? or how many cows chose to live on farms and have their lives cut short for our consumption? The fact is that many animals would face being hunted, eaten, dying of disease and many worse fates living in the wild. I'm not against pets, or eating meat, but I'm also not against the use of animals in circuses, and I think anyone who is should take a wider view of things. Too often people's judgement is clouded by visions of majestic beasts roaming the plains of africa, and forget that those opinions should apply to all animals. Either all animals should live in the wild, or we accept that some animals are used by humans for one reason or another, and as long as they are well cared for I think that's ok.”

“I agree with Ryan on this totally, the animals that are contained during the preparation to the shows, where have they come from? how do they actually start to be within the circus trades? us as humans have the right to be employed where and when we like why should we make a revenue or profit from a show animal . yes ofcourse animals cant speak or think like humans, but it lives, it breathes and surely must make its own decisions. Animated animals are what is entertaining, cartoons have the educational element too, how is it entertaining watching a non uk animal treated this way.”

“Shame on you as you think the show but do the animals. Can they say no? Also think what will the circus do next”