The Show Must Go on!

[pomtzu]

I don't really approve of the way elephants in a circus are handled and I truly wish they would be banned from performing in them. I never realized how badly some are treated until I viewed some videos of trainer/handler abuse with Barnum & Bailey Circus. Whether this is standard for all circuses, I have no idea, but I found it to be cruel and abusive in some instances.

I saw the report of this particular incident in Wilkes-Barre on the Philadelphia news, and it was reported there, that they believe something startled the animal, and he kicked a hind leg out behind him, not knowing the trainer was there. This obviously wasn't an intentional attack by the elephant against the man - unlike some actual attacks and rampages by elephants.

I can't put any blame on the trainer, not knowing his relationship with this particular animal. He might have been one of the good guys, who was unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Unfortunately, it is just one more blemish against elephants, and if no one wants to see this happen again, whether it be accidental or intentional, then let the elephants roam free or in a preserve, and not be on display under the "big top", and helping to rake in $$$ for the owners.

[happylabs]

Unfortunately, it is just one more blemish against elephants, and if no one wants to see this happen again, whether it be accidental or intentional, then let the elephants roam free or in a preserve, and not be on display under the "big top", and helping to rake in $$$ for the owners.

Amen!