A tiger is roaming the Downtown Mall. Actually, she is sitting in a cage, topless, holding a sign that reads: "Wild Animals Don't Belong Behind Bars."
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) member Christina Dang is baring her skin to protest the arrival of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Charlottesville and expose the abuse of circus animals.
According to a PETA fact sheet, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s documents show that Ringling paid a $20,000 fine when a baby elephant died after being forced to perform while sick. Ringling got a warning after it shot and killed a caged tiger and injured two baby elephants by pulling them away from their mothers. The documents also show that Ringling has been cited for failing to provide veterinary care, minimum space, exercise and drinking water for the animals.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be at the John Paul Jones Arena tomorrow until Sunday, December 14.
Should circuses be banned from owning wild animals?
Can you imagine how miserable your dog would be being trucked around for long road trips in isolation, going from town to town, with your only reprieve being let out to perform tricks for large crowds? Think how much worse it must be for an exotic animal like an elephant or tiger.
It's no secret that circuses treat their animals horribly and discard them when they can no longer perform. You don't have to be a PETA member to see the cruelty in this.
Julie
December 10th, 2008 02:32pm
I think it time that PETA is cited for indecent exposure and it would be nice if they would update their information that they keep pushing at the public like it all happened yesterday its true times have changed but I think the animals have a whole lot better life being cared for than being left in the wild
Ned
December 10th, 2008 02:55pm
"I think the animals have a whole lot better life being cared for than being left in the wild"
I`m not sure the animals will agree. Freedom and "pursuit of happiness" provide the cornerstone of life quality.
Cornelius
December 11th, 2008 07:14am
The argument that animals are better off in cages and chains because they may face risks in the wild is disingenuous and self-serving. Life in a cage is so miserable that it’s inconceivable that we are “helping” animals by confining them and denying them everything that comes naturally to them. Even animals born in captivity still have the innate desire to move about and roam freely, to seek out mates and friends, and to engage in behaviors that aren’t possible in a circus. The possibility that animals may suffer in the wild is no reason to guarantee that they suffer in circuses.
Dennis Carlson
December 11th, 2008 07:25am
This is a barbaric form of entertainment. Take your children to a museum instead. What value do they get seeing living creatures being exploited for entertainment purposes. If these were pieces of furniture it would not matter, but they are feeling beautiful creatures.
sue
December 11th, 2008 10:47am
Anyone change their mind about the circus and want to give me their free tickets? I'd love to take my kids.
Julie
December 11th, 2008 11:43am
it seems some people have never really seen how most animals are cared for and get alot of false information that is being distriuted by some people
I have been around animals all my life and yes there are some that are do not accept human contact but there are others that bond with people as people bond with the animal
Herman
December 12th, 2008 01:06pm
I never take my children to the circus when it comes to town. I remember as a little girl looking at the elephants and tigers and seeing their sad, hurt faces.
It is not right to treat living beings this way.
There are many other things to do with your kids besides laugh and use animal's suffering for entertainment. So sad, and so wrong.
Any store or person I know that tries to sell tickets for the local circus, I always politely tell them how wrong it is what they are doing, and I take my business elsewhere.
If you think a wild animal traveling on the road in horrible, ABUSIVE conditions is a better life, you are very ignorant, and very unfeeling for life.
Jennifer
December 14th, 2008 11:06am
of course if we were the ones in the cages being tortured, we'd be shitting are f*in pants. It pisses me off, and i think its a really good thing what these peta members did, right on.
Ashley Cavallaro
December 14th, 2008 02:22pm
I am in a total agreement with the PETA I mean why arent there more companies trying to help wild animals?! CIRCUS People are just being there for the money... and yes you could say for human entertainment but hurting animals in front of children's faces is just a disaster! SUE(THE ONE WHO WROTE DEC. 11) HAS MENTAL PROBLEMS! why would she come to this website and ask for free tickets! what a f* biotch! well....anyways i support the PETA And keep up the good work!
johana
December 14th, 2008 10:54pm
You guys are a bunch of fonnies and are full of it. You don't even know the half of it.
Robert
December 16th, 2008 12:56pm
Soy española, estoy muy orgullosa de
que exista esta fundación, PETA,
tengo 16 años y tengo muy claro que quiero
hacer en esta vida, y es dedicarme
ayudar a los animales, soy vegetariana,
casi nadie de mi entorno me entiende,
pero son mis principios y nunca nos traicionare.
Estoy totalmente en contra de la utilizacion
de animales en los circos, zoologicos, acuarios,
y más.
Lidye
December 18th, 2008 05:28am
I totally agree with the Peta people. I always thought the circus was stupid and boring and the zoo is also a bizare form of entertainment. Who wants to pay money and watch animals suffer! It is shameful what humans do to animals!
Jean
December 18th, 2008 09:36pm
PETA activists are the TRUE HEROES!! Until humans can think of way to make a profit by using their own intelligence instead of by greed using defenseless animals I will support PETA in EVERYTHING they do!! The day is coming when animals will be set FREE from human ignorance as represented by those here that support this. Imagine the days when ignorant people used to think they "owned slaves" ....we've simply replaced slaves with animals.....
amber
December 21st, 2008 06:53pm
Although PETA raises a well known fact that in most cases the animals are being neglected or abused. On the other hand sitting naked in a cage in a public place doesen't make you look distinguished and sane, the point could much better be interpreted by large banners with photos of abuse, visual stimulai as intreguing to people as it is will make you look simmion brained yourself. like the circuses are selling the pain of animals, peta is selling sex. I agree the circus should be shut down.
M.B
January 12th, 2009 12:00pm
I think Peta could do things alot different and make a better point!!! I just took my kids to the circus and they loved it...Of course I'm not for animal abuse..but I'm also so pissed at the fact that peta will come to a childrens event with all their BS... how dare you confront children with things they have no power over..it is horrible and they should be ashamed of it.. find better and more effective ways to get the point across than pissing off parents!!! it just make Peta look like shit....
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