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Christine Choi
Writing 39C
Greg Mcclure
12 August 2015
Forced To Entertain
Would anyone want to live their lives in chains and cages? Unquestionably, the answer is
no. Who would want to be forced to jump through fire hoops and be whipped? No one would
ever want to go through this experience but circus animals, who cannot speak for their rights, are
forced to live a life like this. Circus industries have taken advantage of non-human animals, such
as elephants, tigers, lions, and horses, and use them for entertainment. Ringling Bros. and
Barnum & Bailey, an American circus company, claims that they provide the highest standards
of care to their animal performers and they meet the animals physical needs in every way.
(RingLing) But this turns out to be a palpable lie because the founder of Ringling Bros., Henry
Ringling North, once wrote in his book, The Circus Kings, that tigers and lions are chained to
their pedestals and choked down. (PETA)
The first circus was opened in 1782 by Philip Astley called the Amphithtre Anglois, in
Paris and in 1825, the first circus with a full canvas tent was opened by Joshuah Purdy Brown.
Since the past, animals were simply used to entertain the humans. Elephants, tigers, lions, bears,
and other big animals are trained to ride bicycles, jump through fire hoops, stand on their heads
and two feet. Circus animals are not born as performers with natural talents but abused, forced,
and taught by humans. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA),
trainers use whips, tight collars, muzzles, electric prods, bullhooks, and other painful tools of the
trade to force animals to perform meaningless and physically uncomfortable tricks. Animals,

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especially elephants, are beaten, poked, and
jabbed with sharp hooks during the violent
training. Circus trainers force animals to learn
tricks in such cruelty. (PETA)
Traveling circus companies constantly
travel keeping animals in confined boxcars,
trailers, trains, or trucks for days. They are kept
in extremely hot and cold temperature chained
and confined with other performing animals
(PETA). The cruelty on circus animals is a
serious problem because it causes public danger.
Constant confinement, training, abuse, and
cruelty cause stress and frustration to animals
because these non-human animals also have
emotions. Extreme frustration creates animals to
rebel against their trainers and run away into the
public like the recent accident in Germany. In
June 13, a 65 year old man taking his regular
morning stroll was attacked and killed by an
elephant which escaped from a circus. (BBC)
Circus animals are mistreated in such
cruelty but this is a recondite problem because

Figure 1: Infographic of Circus Animal Cruelty

the cruelty is always hidden behind the happy

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entertaining show. A circus can still be entertaining with just human performers actors. Animals
are not meant to be trapped and abused to perform for humans. They should not be used by
humans but be loved and well treated by humans. Animals are species with emotions as well so
humans should treat them like no other and love them equally.

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Works Cited

"Circuses." PETA. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Aug. 2015.

"Animal Care FAQ." Animal Care FAQ. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Aug. 2015.
"I Love Seeing the Animals at the Circus, and They Don't Seem to Mind Performing. Why Does
PETA Protest the Use of Animals in Circuses?" PETA I Love Seeing the Animals at the Circus
and They Dont Seem to Mind Performing Why Does PETA Protest the Use of Animals in
Circuses Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Aug. 2015.
"Walker in Germany Is Killed by an Escaped Circus Elephant - BBC News." BBC News. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2015.