Shrine Circus: Stop Using Exotic Animals Nationwide!
- by: Chris Wolverton
- recipient: Shrine Circus
The Los Angeles Shriners announced on Monday, March 24 that they will not use wild animals in their circus shows this year. We applaud their decision to move forward after using animals in their shows for the past 88 years.
Unfortunately, Shrine circuses elsewhere in the United States continue to use animals despite the USDA citing their animal handlers for animal abuse and neglect, and many incidents in which their animals have endangered, injured and even killed trainers and circus guests.
Elephants escaped from their St. Louis circus in 2014 and damaged cars in their parking lot. Despite the panic surrounding this incident, those same elephants performed the very next day.
The Shriners probably banned animals in their Los Angeles circus because of the city's recent ban on cruel, painful bullhooks used to control elephants. It is difficult to control them without these tools. But if the Shriners can run a fun and successful circus in Los Angeles without using animals, there is no reason why they need to continue using them in their other locations. With circuses across South America and Europe banning wild animals in their shows, this is an opportunity for the Shriners to step up and encourage other U.S. circuses to move forward. Please sign the petition to encourage the Shrine Circus to stop using animals in their shows nationwide!
As you know, the Los Angeles Shriners announced on Monday, March 24 that they will not use wild animals in their circus shows this year. We applaud their decision to move forward after using animals in their shows for the past 88 years.
Unfortunately, Shrine circuses elsewhere in the United States continue to use animals despite the USDA citing your animal handlers for animal abuse and neglect, and many incidents in which your animals have endangered, injured and even killed trainers and circus guests.
As recently as Saturday, March 22, elephants escaped from their St. Louis circus and damaged cars in the parking lot. Despite the panic surrounding this incident, those same elephants performed the very next day.
We understand that you probably banned animals in their Los Angeles circus because of the city's recent ban on cruel, painful bullhooks used to control elephants. But if the L.A. Shriners can run a fun and successful circus without using animals, there is no reason why you need to continue using them in their other locations. With circuses across South America and Europe banning wild animals in their shows, this is an opportunity for the Shriners to step up and encourage other U.S. circuses to move forward. We respectfully urge you to stop using exotic animals in your circus shows nationwide. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
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