Animal Right: Circuses - Essay Example

Different animals are used by circuses to entertain audiences. However, these animals which include elephants and tigers do not jump through hoops or engage in such activities because they want to (PETA, 2017). On the contrary, they perform these difficult tasks given that they are afraid of the repercussions if they fail to do as required. To compel animals to act, the trainers abuse the animals using different painful methods found in the circus business like whips, muzzles and boohoo among others. Some of the animal training sessions have been covered and show the animals being shocked using electric prods. However, circuses get away with such heinous practices. It is because the government has failed to monitor training sessions (PETA, 2017). Moreover, the handlers exercise caution when in public. This paper argues that animal circuses should be banned as they are in violation of animal rights.

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The healthy relationship that has always existed between humans and animals has not been appreciated as far as Bryant (1979) is concerned. He firmly believes that sociologists have always appeared to neglect, disregard or overlook the unique role played by the animals on human social behavior and the direction taken by their social enterprises. The world has entered a new dispensation, and except a few cases, the same criticism that was made by Bryant (1979) still stand or can still be justified. These views are corroborated by Arluke and Sanders (1996). According to them, sociological research is primarily anthropogenic. In other words, sociological research revolves around humans and focuses more on the relationships between people. Despite this, Beirne (1999) established that over the recent past, the field of sociology had been infiltrated by the concerns over the relationship between humans and animals. The sociological interactions which have been carried out regarding the relationship between humans and animals coupled with the important role animals play in the lives of animals are important for some reasons. According to Arluke and Sanders (1996), this knowledge will show how this interaction works to constructing social meaning. Furthermore, it will help in understanding the manner in which humans organize their social worlds. Most important is that this knowledge will assist in understanding how people perceive their connection with other living things.

People have lived with animals for an extended period. Unfortunately, this relationship has been strained by the violence and cruelty directed by humans toward these animals. There are far reaching consequences that come as a result of animal cruelty or violence. On the one hand, it has a direct effect on the animals being subjected to pain and suffering. On the contrary, it has an adverse impact on society. It is because it increases the cost of living due to the higher taxes that are used to help remove animal carcasses from public areas. Animal abuse or cruelty has been defined by Ascione and Shapiro (2009) as non-accidental behavior which is socially unacceptable and that lead to pain and suffering. This action can also cause the death of the animal. Different forms can reflect animal violence or cruelty. This definition also entails intentional and blatant acts of violence against animals. There is also animal neglect and the failure to guarantee the welfare of animals under a persons control. Most important is the need to understand that animal cruelty is not just limited to cases that comprise physical harm (RSPCA, 2016). Instead, causing psychological harm to these animals which are achieved in the form of terror and distress might also be classified as animal cruelty. Based on the different forms of violence against animals, animal cruelty has been defined as any act or omission that leads to unnecessary harm to an animal. Over the recent past, there have been debates on whether not to ban circuses.

Those in support of animal circuses maintain that they offer recreation and entertainment. It is precisely the beginning point of zoos and the circuses (Nance, 2013). Proponents argue that provided the animals are alive and kicking and that their survival is not endangered by providing recreation and entertainment, it would be futile to condemn the practice. Most of the zoos merge their animal exhibits with the creation of playgrounds, gardens and even restaurants. The reason for this is to coerce as many people as possible. Just like other activities in the zoo, such exercises are done well and sometimes not. In other cases, further entertainment is offered by the animals providing rides, displays or pulling carts (Nance, 2013). A perfect case in point is whale shows. By attracting many people to these events, a lot of money is made.

However, there are different reasons why circuses should be banned (PETA, 2017). One is constant confinement. It is important to note that circuses operate throughout the year and in all the weather extremes. When on transit, most of the animals are confined to the trucks and cannot access to basic needs like food and water. While the elephants are locked using chains, the big cats are restricted to smelly cages where they eat, sleep and urinate. Worse still is that they remain caged after getting to their destinations and are chained in parking lots and the various basements of the arenas (PETA, 2017).

It must also be emphasized that the circuses pose a danger to the public (PETA, 2017). These animals are subjected to periods of beatings and other cruel treatments and could snap in the process. It becomes difficult for the trainers and the public to protect themselves when these animals become rebellious. For instance, elephants have run amok through the towns, destroyed buildings and attacked the people. While some have been injured, other elephants have been killed using bullets. In the course of Moolah Shrine Circus that was held in 2014 in Missouri, three elephants got loose for almost forty-five minutes. They had destroyed vehicles before the handlers took control of the situation. However, this was not the first time that an animal had escaped from a circus (PETA, 2017). Other animals including tigers also try to escape when an opportunity presents itself.

Given the concerns over mistreatment of animals and issues of public safety, more and more communities are barring circuses. Bullhooks have also been banned (PETA, 2017). There are calls to have animal-free circuses. Circuses must focus on non-animal productions. In the past two decades using strict regulation and changing public beliefs, there has been a rapid decline in performing animal acts. There are exciting and creative productions which fascinate audiences without necessarily focusing on animal acts. Different initiatives can be undertaken to ensure that this practice is brought to a halt. One is by holding demonstrations whenever the circus is brought to town. It would work to inform the public that the acts performed by these animals are due to the abuse perpetrated behind the scenes. The local media must be told about the suffering the animals are subjected. Also, it will be important to initiate a campaign aimed at eradicating wild-animal acts (PETA, 2017). Another way that can be used to solve this problem is avoiding circuses which use animals. Friend and family members must be engaged especially those with young kids who could have the desire to go.

In conclusion, animal circuses should be banned as they violate animal rights. It is not in doubt that animal circuses have been around for ages. However, though the sight of these animals jumping over fire, standing on hind legs or riding a bicycle could appear entertaining, it must be emphasized that these animals are subjected to abuse, depression, and confinement. In most instances, training circus animals are misrepresented to make it seem as if they perform voluntarily. However, this is not the case given that these animals have been conditioned to adhere to orders of the trainer or face the music. On the other hand, circuses and those in charge in training could claim to promote the best practices and address the plight of the animals. However, these animals have undergone pain and suffered in silence. It is time to act and ensure that animal rights are protected.

References

Arluke, A & Sanders, C. (1996). Regarding animals. Philadelphia: Temple University Press

Ascione, F & Shapiro, D. (2009). People and animals, kindness and cruelty: Research directions

and policy implications. Journal of Social Issues, 65(3), 569--587

Beirne, P. (1999). For a speciesist criminology: Animal abuse as an object of study.

Criminology, 37, 117-147.

Bryant, C. (1979). The zoological connection: Animal-related human behavior. Social Forces,

58, 399-421

Nance, S. (2013). Entertaining Elephants: Animal Agency and the business of the American

circus. JHU Press.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals {PETA}. (2017). Circuses. Retrieved from

http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/circuses/