Don't go to the circus

Letters to the Editor - Dear Editor:

After hearing today that the circus was once again coming to town this June, I felt I had to express my sincere disappointment.

Let me explain. Wild animals are taken from their native homeland, sometimes at a very young age, and forced to perform tricks and stunts, which are irrelative to their nature.

Not only are they forced to do things they don't want to, but they are trained in a very abusive and inhumane matter. Trainers use tools such as electric prods, sharp gaffs, small poles/sticks and other unnecessary objects.

These animals are transported around the globe in small, warm and cramped cages. For instance, three zebras and possibly a small pony are all forced into one trailer with very little water and food supply and limited space to urinate, defecate and sleep. Day after day, these animals follow the same procedure and have to face the same amount of cruelty, if not more. These poor, helpless, creatures do not belong in a circus. They want to go home - the place where they really belong.

Although many children are excited at the sight of an animal, especially one that is rarely seen in a town setting, would they be excited if they knew the animal was being beaten to perform tricks inhumane to their nature? I think not. Children are never too young to realize it is an absolute disgrace to hurt an animal.

Last year, in 30ºC weather, dedicated members of the Exploits Valley SPCA stood in front of the Joe Byrne Memorial Stadium, attempting to educate the public about what goes on behind closed doors. I am proud to say that I was one of those dedicated members, fighting for the rights of the ones who cannot speak how they feel - the animals.

As Dr. Desmond Morris once said, "The idea that it is funny to see wild animals coerced into acting like clumsy humans, or thrilling to see powerful beasts reduced to cringing cowards by a whipcracking trainer is primitive and medieval. It stems from the old idea that we are superior to other species and have the right to hold dominion over them."

Today, I am writing to let the residents of central Newfoundland know how I feel and especially the council of Grand Falls-Windsor. Please, don't go to the circus, don't support the cruelty of animals. We need to be their voice.

For more information on circus abuse, visit www.circuses.com.