Even under the best of circumstances animals are denied the freedom and dignity they were meant to enjoy in the wild. Under the worst circumstances, animals are beaten, injured and killed only to be replaced by a bigger draw for the crowds. In 1966 The Animal Welfare Act was enacted. The intention of this Act is to assure the humane care and treatment of animals when transported and used for research, experimentation, exhibition and sale. Although the AWA has been set up to protect animals, the entertainment industry that exploits these creatures has the ability to, literally, get away with murder.
Circuses
Despite their popularity, circuses are one of the biggest abusers of animals. The animals in circuses are captive beings subjected to punishments, deprivation and confinement that often leads to physical distress and mental breakdowns. Circuses force animals to perform acts that are confusing, repetitive and unnatural to their life in the wild. Trainers routinely use violence and intimidation to train the performers. According to the IDA, whips, chains, hooks and electric prods are used to exact certain behaviors.
Marine Mammal Parks
Billions of entertainment dollars have been spent building the business of marine mammal parks. In the wild whales and dolphins are social, family-oriented creatures that travel together and communicate in pod- specific dialects of language and song. According to research done by PETA capturing whales and dolphins disrupts the pod and many of these animals die from stress or shock. The water in the tanks is kept clean using chemicals that can injure the eyes and skin of dolphins. Bacterial infections, sunburn and even excessive park noises have caused stress and sometimes death of captured marine mammals.
Illegal Entertainment
Hidden in back alleys and isolated barns, thrives another form of entertainment which uses animals. These illegal games are referred to as blood sports. Difficult to stamp out, these include cockfighting, dog fighting, and hog-dog fighting. Bets are placed, animals that have been starved and beaten are let loose and the fun begins.
Cockfights
Illegal in all but two states, cockfighting has been around for centuries and is what some call an American tradition. Birds raised for fighting are tormented to make them aggressive and given stimulating drugs to increase their endurance. The birds are put in a pit and forced to fight until at least one is dead. Birds are not the only animals trained for fighting each other for the entertainment of humans.
Dogfights
Dogs are starved, beaten and shackled from puppy hood, baited with small animals and trained to maul another dog to death. Pit bulls, with their strong jaw muscles, are the breed most often used to become these fighting machines. Pit bulls are by nature loyal and affectionate dogs yet many are found languishing in shelters because it is impossible to find homes for them.
The fun and entertainment of circuses, zoos, rodeos and racing hides a sometimes sinister underbelly. The cute tricks animals perform for audiences are often the result of months of training, beatings and torture, both physical and mental. . For most animals in the entertainment industry, theirs is a life of punishment and hardships. Knowing that animals do in fact suffer physical and mental anguish, there is no ethical reason to continue using them in entertainment.
For more information on the treatment of animals in entertainment check out sites such as the Animal Defenders International.
