Circus Abuse Is Not Family Fun
- by: Phillip Hall
- recipient: Defence Community Organisation, NSW Australia
The Defence Community Organisation are having their annual Defence Christmas Treat for 2011, for Defence personnel, including civilians and contractors, and their families. As part of their family-oriented day’s entertainment they boast four shows by the Lennon Bros Circus between 9am and 9pm.
One of the few circuses left in Australia with performing animals, the Lennon Bros Circus is an out-dated relic of “entertainment”. Life for a circus animal is a sad one, born into captivity and denied their natural instincts. Unable to roam freely, socialise in herds and packs or regulate their surroundings, these animals lack adequate exercise and stimulation. They can often be seen exhibiting stereotypical behaviours of stress and anxiety such as circling, pacing and swaying in their undersized cages and enclosures. Travel is a huge part of circus life, the conditions of which are never suitable for an animal cramped into cages and carriages, exposed to all weather extremes from the dense Australian heat to frosty nights.
The performances these animals are forced to endure are unnatural and degrading. Training methods are based on negative reinforcement, often using whips or sticks. The tricks themselves cause unnecessary strain on the animals’ joints and the combination of bright lights and crowds causes anxiety in a circus animal. The animals at this event will be forced through their cruel performance four times in one day.
It is abhorrent that a Government organisation should endorse this abusive form of entertainment billed as a family spectacle. On a day that is dedicated to Christmas time and families, the Defence Community Organisation have chosen to support the exploitation of these poor animals taking place on tax-payer funded land.
One of the few circuses left in Australia with performing animals, the Lennon Bros Circus is an out-dated relic of “entertainment”. Life for a circus animal is a sad one, born into captivity and denied their natural instincts. Unable to roam freely, socialise in herds and packs or regulate their surroundings, these animals lack adequate exercise and stimulation. They can often be seen exhibiting stereotypical behaviours of stress and anxiety such as circling, pacing and swaying in their undersized cages and enclosures. Travel is a huge part of circus life, the conditions of which are never suitable for an animal cramped into cages and carriages, exposed to all weather extremes from the dense Australian heat to frosty nights.
The performances these animals are forced to endure are unnatural and degrading. Training methods are based on negative reinforcement, often using whips or sticks. The tricks themselves cause unnecessary strain on the animals’ joints and the combination of bright lights and crowds causes anxiety in a circus animal. The animals at this event will be forced through their cruel performance four times in one day.
It is abhorrent that a Government organisation should endorse this abusive form of entertainment billed as a family spectacle. On a day that is dedicated to Christmas time and families, the Defence Community Organisation have chosen to support the exploitation of these poor animals taking place on tax-payer funded land.
We the undersigned object to your endorsement of animal exploitation by allowing the Lennon Brothers Circus to perform at your Defence Christmas Treat day this year.
One of the few circuses left in Australia with performing animals, the Lennon Bros Circus is an out-dated relic of “entertainment”. Life for a circus animal is a sad one, born into captivity and denied their natural instincts. Unable to roam freely, socialise in herds and packs or regulate their surroundings, these animals lack adequate exercise and stimulation. They can often be seen exhibiting stereotypical behaviours of stress and anxiety such as circling, pacing and swaying in their undersized cages and enclosures. Travel is a huge part of circus life, the conditions of which are never suitable for an animal cramped into cages and carriages, exposed to all weather extremes from the dense Australian heat to frosty nights.
The performances these animals are forced to endure are unnatural and degrading. Training methods are based on negative reinforcement, often using whips or sticks. The tricks themselves cause unnecessary strain on the animals’ joints and the combination of bright lights and crowds causes anxiety in a circus animal. The animals at this event will be forced through their cruel performance four times in one day.
It is abhorrent that a Government organisation should endorse this abusive form of entertainment billed as a family spectacle. On a day that is dedicated to Christmas time and families, the Defence Community Organisation have chosen to support the exploitation of these poor animals taking place on tax-payer funded land.
We urge you to reconsider your support of this out-dated form of entertainment for this and any future Defence events. This is not a message the Government should be proud to send to children about the way we treat animals.
Thank you for your consideration of this letter.
Sign PetitionSign PetitionOne of the few circuses left in Australia with performing animals, the Lennon Bros Circus is an out-dated relic of “entertainment”. Life for a circus animal is a sad one, born into captivity and denied their natural instincts. Unable to roam freely, socialise in herds and packs or regulate their surroundings, these animals lack adequate exercise and stimulation. They can often be seen exhibiting stereotypical behaviours of stress and anxiety such as circling, pacing and swaying in their undersized cages and enclosures. Travel is a huge part of circus life, the conditions of which are never suitable for an animal cramped into cages and carriages, exposed to all weather extremes from the dense Australian heat to frosty nights.
The performances these animals are forced to endure are unnatural and degrading. Training methods are based on negative reinforcement, often using whips or sticks. The tricks themselves cause unnecessary strain on the animals’ joints and the combination of bright lights and crowds causes anxiety in a circus animal. The animals at this event will be forced through their cruel performance four times in one day.
It is abhorrent that a Government organisation should endorse this abusive form of entertainment billed as a family spectacle. On a day that is dedicated to Christmas time and families, the Defence Community Organisation have chosen to support the exploitation of these poor animals taking place on tax-payer funded land.
We urge you to reconsider your support of this out-dated form of entertainment for this and any future Defence events. This is not a message the Government should be proud to send to children about the way we treat animals.
Thank you for your consideration of this letter.
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