Should animals be used at the circus?

[Kerry]

Story (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Animal-Rights-Campaigners-Disappointment-After-Government-Fails-To-Ban-Wild-Animals-In-Circuses/Article/201105215991716?lpos=UK_News_First_Home_Page_Featu re_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15991716_Animal_Rights_Campaigners_Dis appointment_After_Government_Fails_To_Ban_Wild_Ani mals_In_Circuses)

Discuss!

[InOne]

Yes

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

no :bored:

[Kerry]

Yes

Sorry, had to edit. Asked two different questions! Re-answer please. Should they be used?

[InOne]

Oh D: No they should not be used lol

[Kerry]

Oh D: No they should not be used lol

Sorry about that! :blush:

[Jords]

As long as theyre treated well + not over-trained, sure.

[Novo]

Yes, nothing like watching some dancing bears.

[GypsyGoth]

I don't know, I've been to a circus with animals, and they seemed ok, I don't think they had that good of a life, but I don't think it was like they had another better option available.

[Jordan.]

I dont see a problem with it, there are more cruel things happening.

Some must like performing just looks at all the dancing/singing dogs on BGT. :joker:

[Liberty4eva]

Is it possible to even have a circus without animals? (thinks the question should be amended to should we even have a circus?)

[arista]

As long as theyre treated well + not over-trained, sure.


Yes
Thats when it works.


Its a Treat to see.

[arista]

Is it possible to even have a circus without animals? (thinks the question should be amended to should we even have a circus?)


Yes you can have Circus of Freaks.
Like the old days.


Quality Circus Events
have a Solid future
in the UK.

"Animal rights campaigners have expressed extreme disappointment at the Government's decision not to ban the use of wild animals in circuses. "

[joeysteele]

I voted no, but only because I doubt that proper and rigorous checks can be done correctly to ensure there is no suffering for the Animals.

A bit daft this comparison but I have a dog at home and if he doesn't want to do anything,he simply won't for anything.
So since the animals in a Circus do seem to perform and seem relaxed, then I haven't a problem with that. Just the worry of proper health and stress tests being done on them,that's all I am bothered about.

[Grimnir]

as long as they are treated with a good standard of care then yes
same as for zoos and safari parks
i am against fox hunting and all forms of animal poaching whether whales, gorillas, elephants, baby seals and cattle culling
but circus i no problem with if the animals are happy
i think they will enjoy being part of circus as long as they cared for well

[ILoveTRW]

Only if they are big animals
There is nothing worse than going to a circus and seeing a dog jump through a hoop or a cat walk on a tight rope, I could have stayed at home if i wanted to see that.

[Niall]

As long as theyre treated well + not over-trained, sure.

This.

[MTVN]

Yes, as long as they're treated well

[Pyramid*]

Is it possible to even have a circus without animals? (thinks the question should be amended to should we even have a circus?)

Got to agree with this. Circus acts, apart from the usual clowns, fireaters, contortionists, trapeze artists - usually rely heavily on performing lions, tigers, elephants, bears, chimps - caged up and travelling around the country / world to perform - away from their most natural habitats etc.

I could be wrong but in years before travel to foreign lands was commonplace, the circus was the only place to see such animals (and human 'freaks'). There's no need for that now. We have travel, tv, internet, libraries etc to see what we want. No need for this cruelty.

[MeMyselfAndI]

NO
its so cruel D:

[Shasown]

Is it possible to even have a circus without animals? (thinks the question should be amended to should we even have a circus?)

Of course it is try googling

The Chinese State Circus,
The Moscow State Circus,
The Circus of Horrors,
Cirque du Soleil,
Circus Luminous'
Russian American Kids Circus,
Circus of the Kids,

To name a few.

[Pyramid*]

Of course it is try googling

The Chinese State Circus,
The Moscow State Circus,
The Circus of Horrors,
Cirque du Soleil,
Circus Luminous'
Russian American Kids Circus,
Circus of the Kids,

To name a few.

In fairness: I *think* given the original OP, that it's coming into the realm of what the 'traditional' low rate circus type shows involving animals - that that is where some are coming from.

It's the type of circus shows that involve animals I *think* that what was meant - rather than what you've mentioned above. Circus acts are very varied - as you state - however, given the original question in respect of those ones that include animals - ye olde fashioned type - I think that's what most are perceiving Kerry to have been referring to, rather than specialist Circus acts that you've named. (which are of course, can have their own merits).

[Crimson Dynamo]

NO

Animals are not entertainment for chavs who go to circusses.

[BB_Eye]

I'd argue that the idea of circuses in general are degrading. Before it was merely animals, it was also physically deformed or mentally ill 'freaks'. So a ban on making animals perform makes sense. But as a member of a reality TV discussion forum, I'd be something of a hypocrite.

[Patrick]

I can assure you if I was an animal I'd rather perform at a Circus than be left in a field to eat Grass all day, every day.

Plus - I suppose having an audience of people watching you in amazement clapping and laughing is better than having an audience of millions watching in horror as you're thrown off a cliff by a 'US Hero' or cut to death - like most Animals are these days. :bored:

[Livia]

Seeing wild animals being made to perform tricks for our amusement isn't my idea of entertainment. It's archaic.

[Tom4784]

It's something I struggle to care about admittedly. As long as they are well treated then I see no problem.

[patsylimerick]

The last circus I went to just had dogs and horses. I think that's OK so long as they're well cared for - and they certainly looked happy. Wild animals I don't think should be kept with circuses. Their housings are so restricted. That circus had the dogs and horses, motorbikes going around in this globe of steel thingy, a couple of acrobatic acts, clowns, trapeze; plenty really. No need for strung out tigers and half dead elephants. Maybe they should stop using the horses too but the dogs were definitely having fun.

[LaLaLand]

IF they are properly kept, respected and looked after then I don't see why not. It's a shame that people feel the need to mistreat animals, especially Circus animals which are so exotic and beautiful. I mean, when people mistreat/abuse dogs I get so angry and upset because I couldn't lay a finger on any dog especially my own two.

There should be laws in place or supervision as to what animals are in each Circus and have annual health checks, identi-chip them to stop the animals being exported etc and checks on the living conditions and have certain regulations of size of space, food, training and so on to be able to keep them.

[Zippy]

depends how theyre trained and treated. Some animals do enjoy performing...like dogs and, er, dolphins. Especially if they get rewarded with food.

but big animals like elephants require huge control or they will just not obey some little man. And, sadly, its usually through physical punishment.

There needs to be tougher checks done to ensure the animals are all healthy and well looked after. But it is possible to have happy animals in a circus if theyre run by animal lovers and not just ruthless business men.

[Niamh.]

No, I wouldn't go to see a circus with animals in it. It's too cruel

[bananarama]

The only anmals that should be allowed to perform in a circus are those small enough to be also kept as pets.......

A circus is no place for a large or wild animal even if they are trained in a humane way. The reason is patently obvious as to why large animals in circuses are cruel. Quite simply a wild animal needs space and an ability to behave as nature intended. Circus environments can never provide such fascilities......Neither can they be properly 24 hour monitered as to thair training techniques.

Verdict. Animals such as elephants,Lion,Tigers etc should be banned from being subjected to circus life for the entertainment of kids and adults who should know better.....