Peta at the Circus

[cardaway]

On Saturday we went to the local events center box office to buy Finding Nemo on Ice tickets. We had no idea the events center was hosting the Ringling Bros Circus the same day.

After finding parking a few blocks away we saw the many Peta protesters as we made our way to the box office. I had seen the large banner as we drove past the building, a large font sign saying how many elephant deaths within Ringling Bros. But what we saw close to the event was terrible. Sings with baby elephant pictures saying that they died including when and supposedly how.

I instantly thought of the abortion clinic protests and the disgusting signs common at those protests. But on Saturday I was in a different position. I actually agreee with Peta in this case, the treatment the animals (especially the elephants) get on the road is terrible and should be stopped. But just like the abortion situation, I find the actions of these protesters to be disrespectful and sick.

So what do others think. Is Peta right about the treatment of animals? How about the protest strategy?

 

[shortbun]

My guess is that there is some credibility to what they say. We went to the circus last weekend and encountered the same thing. They tried to give my son a coloring book but not knowing what was in it, I refused it. It's not like I disagree with them on most levels but I just hate it that elephants are being killed in Africa for their tusks and THAT is why some day elephants will ONLY be able to be seen in captivity. I want them(PETA) to put their energy into that arena. The signs being carried at our circus were not disgusting nor did they chant and get in our faces. BUT,and it's a very big BUT, they DID approach my son with literature. My son is a vegetarian and very socially concious. Approaching a child with ANYTHING is not ok when there is contraversy. We talked for a long time about the animals in the circus. We decided we wanted to see the circus and later, we would research the treatment of animals in zoos and circuses. My husband and I do not eat veal, we only eat free range animals when and if we do eat meat. We even eat rennet free cheese when ever possible. We try very hard not to waste anything nor cause damage to anything or anyone with our behavior. PETA needs to tone down just a bit at circuses and stop approaching children who are not in control of where they are.

 

[jx3smom]

I don't protest but I will not attend a circus because of the treatment of animals. My 14 yo DS has never been to one.

 

[auntpolly]

I think some people have no idea the horrible treatement of animals at circuses and even some zoos. I don't know how else you get the word out -- it's the truth that's ugly, not the signs.

 

[Tina]

I applaud PETA for standing up for circus animals. In college, I often used PETA materials in papers and speeches. Circuses need to be put out of business - period.

 

[Lessa of Pern]

when my girls were young, I would have jumped down the throat of anyone who approached us and tried to give them controversial material without asking me if it's ok. it's your right to protest, but it's my right not to look if I don't want to.

I have a lot of trouble with PETA. I think overall their message about animal cruelty is a good one...but they go to extremes and get carried away.

examples

 

[CheshireVal]

While some of PETA's methods and ideals are a little extreme to say the least, I think they do have good intentions with regards to animal welfare.

I don't think animals should be used in circuses, either.

 

[oldkicker]

Judging from the fact that you posted about it here, Mike, I'd say their tactics made an impact.

Which is worse, signs showing what treatment the elephants face, or the treatment itself?

I'll differentiate between this protest and those of abortion opposers. The only freedom of choice here is whether or not society lets circuses continue treating animals that way.

We're all so benumbed by everything that is seems that drastic measures are the only way to get society's attention. I don't mean violent tactics, but sensational ones.

 

[cardaway]

Judging from the fact that you posted about it here, Mike, I'd say their tactics made an impact.

Which is worse, signs showing what treatment the elephants face, or the treatment itself?

I'll differentiate between this protest and those of abortion opposers. The only freedom of choice here is whether or not society lets circuses continue treating animals that way.

We're all so benumbed by everything that is seems that drastic measures are the only way to get society's attention. I don't mean violent tactics, but sensational ones.

It made an impact because my first reaction was that I didn't know the circus was in town.

Beyond that, I didn't want to pay for parking when I was only buying a ticket for a future event. All the free lots become pay lots when there is an event going on. Very little street parking in the area. We even discussed that morning how easy it would be to get parking that day unless there was an event going on.

Of course the big impact was the large number of protesters on hand. For even this small arena, there were at least 50 protesters. I was taken back by the sheer number of them given the small arena size. I was thinking in my head what I was going to say if they hassled us. We were not even going to the circus, just going to the box office to buy tickets. Turned out to be a moot point. Because of the situation they had all kinds of security and those heading to the ticket booth went down a special roped off area outisde the tight security.

As I posted earlier, I see no difference between the tactics I saw Saturday and those I read about at abortion clinics and abortion related protests. There is no excuse to use these shock tactics. The message can clearly be made without subjecting children to the horrors they want to subject them to.

To read that they were approaching kids at other venues is even more sick. I imagine this was only not an issue on Saturday because I saw many police officers around. Likely there in those numbers because of the protests.

Each of those sign carriers would be much better off going to the local govenments and making a case for animal cruelty and getting it enforced. Very few if any parents are going to make plans to see the circus and change their mind because they see a sign about how baby Dumbo died from something caused by the circus. Maybe they will not plan to see another one, but they also leave with a bad taste in their mouth about your organization (in thsi case Peta).

I agree with their case this time, but I think it's equally wrong on how they are going about fighting the cause.

 

[Laura]

While some of PETA's methods and ideals are a little extreme to say the least, I think they do have good intentions with regards to animal welfare.

I don't think animals should be used in circuses, either.

Yeah, PETA's definitely too extreme for me. It's not just PETA who fights against using animals in circuses, they're just more vocal and out there about it. But I think in this case, it really depends what was on the signs. There are ways to get the message across for both anti-abortion and anti-circus activists without turning people off.

For those who want some info, here's a link to the Humane Society's stuff about circuses (no nasty photos):
http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/issues_facing_wildlife/circuses/circus_myths.html

 

[Planogirl]

The argument about circuses is one that I avoid simply because there are no absolutes. However, I have no problem with PETA protesting them, I just dislike their methods. I believe that they often get so "out there" that people start ignoring their message.

I have mixed feelings about whether animals belong in circuses or not BUT I do believe that they should be VERY well-treated. Just as animals in zoos, reserves, farms, breeding programs and so on should be treated kindly. We don't ban livestock because of bad treatment but the anti-cruelty laws need to be tightened and those same laws need to be strongly enforced. JMO.

 

[cardaway]

For those who want some info, here's a link to the Humane Society's stuff about circuses (no nasty photos):
http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/issues_facing_wildlife/circuses/circus_myths.html

Great link Laura. It would be even better if they would update it with more recent news.