Standing up for circus animals
To the editor:
I was enheartened to find Claire Kierstead’s letter to the editor (We should not exploit any animal for fun, April 27th).
I have been contemplating writing such a letter in lieu of the opening of the film “Water for Elephants”, and Claire’s letter echoed my own sentiments and arguments perfectly. The novel “Water for Elephants” was amazing, and I expect no less from the film. I do hope, however, that people leave the theatre with a new realization of the treatment of circus animals.
Many people may watch the movie and assume that the training practices and treatment of circus elephants have evolved and become more humane over the years, but this is simply not the case. The very act of taking these animals from their natural homes is torturous to them and there is no way to “train” an elephant to perform unnatural acts, like standing on their heads, other than to break their spirits and beat them mercilessly into submission.
The irony is that circuses consisting of human acts are less expensive to run and more successful. What can you do? Don’t go to circuses that have animals acts! Let the circus organizers know why you aren’t attending. And enlighten your friends and relatives of the plight faced by these creatures who share our earth.
Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by how its animals are treated.” We need to do better.
Kim Lauritsen
Mapleton
