Animals in the circus

[knuckles]

Given the total disdain, ignorance, and disrespect Asian countries have for the welfare of animals, it has me confused why a country like Singapore bans the use of animals in circus, but Australia doesn't. To be honest, I think the only reason SG ban animals is b/c of the mess they make. Peope who eat shark fin soup should all die an agonizing death, as the sharks do. People who attend a circus with animals should be kept in a filthy cage for 30 years.
Cirque de Soleil...cheers.
Have a nice day.

 

[sussudio]

I agree, the use of circus animals should be banned. it's all about changing people's opinions though.

as for shark's fin, it is quite a popular dish for chinese new year, wedding banquets etc.. but asians, esp. the younger generation, are starting to realise that it's cruel to the shark. I just came back from singapore, where some of my cousins refuse to eat it. and there have been many campaigns in singapore to educate the people, much like educating people about tiger products and bear products.

I think attitudes are changing in asia (well, in s'pore anyway), but it will only come through education and changing people's opinions.

 

[mantis]

The best way to stop the use of animals in circus', is for people to boycott them, they will soon stop using animals if they aren't getting audiences.

I think quite a few councils around OZ, have actually banned circus' which use animals, hope they all do it soon.

 

[Crowaholic]

Australia actually bans the use of some animals in Australia.

My Grandma was telling me a few months ago actually.

You wont go to a circus in Australia where they will have animals like bears. This being because the RSPCA has got it as cruelty which I agree with.

Although some animals are allowed to be in the circus. I just can't think which ones she said aren't except for that one.

 

[kaysee]

I fully understand peoples concerns about animals being in the circus and how they are treated, but I don't see a problem with it if the animals are kept with care and an acceptable level of freedom.

If ciruses do keep their animals in good care then how do they differ from Zoos, theme parks (Seaworld etc) and other places animals are held in captivity, or even everyday people who own pets?

I realise people might argue that household pets are not wild and could never survive in the wild by themselves, however AFAIK a majority of circus animals are also bread in captivity and also wouldn't survive in the wild.

Still that being said I would hate to see animals mistreated in any way.

SKC

 

[mantis]

kaysee, you can't see the difference.

Circus animals spend the majority of their time, in small cages on the backs of trucks, being transported around the country side, being only let out of the cages to perform.

Zoo animals are kept in large areas, with most Zoos now days, making their surroundings as close to their natural environment as possible. Also, Zoos are becoming the only place where some species can be spared from extinction.

 

[Squeak]

Fun to watch though.

 

[knuckles]

Originally posted by kaysee
I fully understand peoples concerns about animals being in the circus and how they are treated, but I don't see a problem with it if the animals are kept with care and an acceptable level of freedom.

If ciruses do keep their animals in good care then how do they differ from Zoos, theme parks (Seaworld etc) and other places animals are held in captivity, or even everyday people who own pets?

I realise people might argue that household pets are not wild and could never survive in the wild by themselves, however AFAIK a majority of circus animals are also bread in captivity and also wouldn't survive in the wild.

Still that being said I would hate to see animals mistreated in any way.

SKC

I find Zoos totally irrelevant in 2003 also. Zoos came about when their was no TV and travel was only for the wealthy on ships - neither are the case now. Ditto theme parks.

Also animals for tourism. Example Elephant rides in Thailand. Seen how they train the elephants? They take the infant from its mother and beat the crap out of it for six months with bamboo sticks. Also starve it. Eventually it becomes obedient. Won't even tell you how they slaughter dogs for consumption in Korea. Asians in Asia shouldn't be allowed near animals.

 

[Uncle Steve]

How many of you animal libbers wear vinyl shoes, polyester clothes and adhere to strict vegan diets?

I thought as much.

kaysee is on the money. So long as they aren't mistreated, there's no harm in having animals in the circus. The whines of the animal libbers would be better directed towards enforcing a policy of humane treatment, rather than banishing the animals outright.

 

[sussudio]

Originally posted by knuckles
Asians in Asia shouldn't be allowed near animals.

really nice generalisation here. which asians do you mean - chinese, japanese, thai, vietnamese, malay, indian? or are you lumping them all into the one basket?

as you said, animals used for tourism is bad, but where is the demand coming from for things like elephant rides? mostly western tourists I would think.

the way they kill the dogs in korea is cruel, but is this any less cruel than battery hens? eaten any chicken lately?

also, last I heard, there were no elephants in singapore, except at the zoo. and my cousin there has a pet dog that he really loves, and that he neither eats nor mistreats.

can you tell me the number of people in australia who mistreat their pets, or abandon them? It is irresponsible pet owners or people that shouldn't be allowed near animals, regardless of race.

 

[knuckles]

Originally posted by sussudio
really nice generalisation here. which asians do you mean - chinese, japanese, thai, vietnamese, malay, indian? or are you lumping them all into the one basket?

as you said, animals used for tourism is bad, but where is the demand coming from for things like elephant rides? mostly western tourists I would think.

the way they kill the dogs in korea is cruel, but is this any less cruel than battery hens? eaten any chicken lately?

also, last I heard, there were no elephants in singapore, except at the zoo. and my cousin there has a pet dog that he really loves, and that he neither eats nor mistreats.

can you tell me the number of people in australia who mistreat their pets, or abandon them? It is irresponsible pet owners or people that shouldn't be allowed near animals, regardless of race.

All Asians - no generalization. Their might be a few (<5%) who care, but 10 years of living in Asia, tells me 100% is a safe number. I don't expect a family starving in mid - West China to give a frig about animals. But I do in HK, SG,TH, MY and ID. When they kill hens by hanging them by their neck for 30 mins prodding them with a stick until they suffocate, and place a few strategic cuts to allow the fluids to flow, they will be treated the same as dogs.
Aust enforces laws re animals. few Asian countries do.
I speak Chinese and live in SG - don't waste your breath going down that path. BTW, go to a SG pet shop, and see the cages they keep dogs in blaring heat.

 

[Thrawn]

I find it very hypocritical for people to condemn the treatment of circus animals, whilst many have overlooked the fact that other animals are being tortured from experiements that are not deemed "too beneficial for mankind" (ie. cosmetics).

There are worse cases out there. IMO, the focus should be on that first.

 

[Grogette]

Originally posted by Thrawn
I find it very hypocritical for people to condemn the treatment of circus animals, whilst many have overlooked the fact that other animals are being tortured from experiements that are not deemed "too beneficial for mankind" (ie. cosmetics).

Hmmmm.......I don't usually reply to subject like this, due to the sensitive nature of them and that I know everyone is intitled to their opinion.

But in this case I have to agree with Thrawn, as I am a Animal Lover and a Tree Hugger. I am very aware that there is definately more important issues of animal cruelty in the world!

Gee Whiz the amount of experiments some company's do is disgusting - all in the name of beauty and reducing sign's of ageing etc frell "Ageing is apart of life"

Thank Goodness for company's like The Body Shop, Red Earth etc that make all natural/anti animal products. At least they are trying to do something to fix the situation.

Some of the stuff I have read in regards to animal cruelty and the horrifying pictures I have seen has actually lead me to hate some of my fellow human beings.

Well I have had my spit now! Back to the topic in hand.

In regards to Animals in the Circus, as long as they aren't mistreated etc I am fine with that! As I hate & boycott the Circus anyway! However, if I hear that animals are getting abused - I am the first one to step in and protest about it!

Shalom

 

[Port1978]

Originally posted by Grogette


Thank Goodness for company's like The Body Shop, Red Earth etc that make all natural/anti animal products. At least they are trying to do something to fix the situation.

Agreed, I only ever get stuff from the Body Shop or anything else that has not been tested on animlas. Back in high school I did an assignment on how the experiments are done on animlas & it was just awful! I remember reading that they put cosmetics in rabbits eyes & peg the rabbit's eyes open so they can't blink the stuff away, then they see if it has any effect on the rabbit!!! Bloody awful stuff.

 

[jim boy]

Originally posted by knuckles
I don't expect a family starving in mid - West China to give a frig about animals. But I do in HK, SG,TH, MY and ID.

An that's what worries. Population of places like SG and HK are tiny compared to China. As the general populace of China becomes wealthier, they'll be demanding more and more luxuries like shark fin.

 

[sussudio]

Originally posted by Jim Boy
An that's what worries. Population of places like SG and HK are tiny compared to China. As the general populace of China becomes wealthier, they'll be demanding more and more luxuries like shark fin.

that is why education is crucial. it is well known how ignorant the noveau riche can be in places like china, of things like animal products, and diseases like HIV.

there are organisations in singapore, like the SPCA, and elsewhere in asia, who are trying to inform the public about things like shark's fin, through various campaigns. how it is cruel to the shark, how the soup tastes good mostly because of the stock and other ingredients as shark's fin is cartilage which is tasteless, and how shark's fin may contain high levels of mercury.

inform the public, and reduce the demand. when it was revealed about the mercury levels in shark fin, demand for the soup nose-dived in places like bangkok a couple of years ago.

 

[knuckles]

A Mad Shark disease scare would work wonders.
One of the reasons 500 Maccas closed in Japan...mmmmooooooo

 

[knuckles]

Originally posted by Jim Boy
An that's what worries. Population of places like SG and HK are tiny compared to China. As the general populace of China becomes wealthier, they'll be demanding more and more luxuries like shark fin.

Yes, a real worry. Bear bile is another.