Animals in Entertainment

Zoos

Zoos are animal prisons. The animals circle their cages, sway constantly, bite their bars and pace endlessly back and forth - all indications of misery, frustration, neurosis and acute boredom. In fact the Zoocheck Foundation in the UK has catalogued evidence from countless zoos around the globe, on every continent, and concluded from veterinary study that the animals are actually insane from boredom. They use the term "zoochosis".

Some zoos are involved in the breeding of endangered species; whilst this is to be applauded, it would not be neccesary if mankind wasn't so busy exterminating numerous species of animals.

Today many zoos have improved the living conditions of animals with the inclusion of more natural habitats such as open grazing areas, trees, rocks and waterfalls etc. This is also to be applauded and whilst it may help many people appreciate the beauty of the non-human animal kingdom, animals deserve to live their lives in their true natural habitat - not in a prison!

Circuses

Lions, elephants and other wild animals are tethered or caged for the whole of their lives, for up to 23 hours per day, every day!

Training methods for "tricks" they are forced to do in the ring are often cruel, and most tricks are against all the animals natural instincts such as jumping through a ring of fire.

They are transported in tiny cages and in all weather around the country or internationally, spending weeks in the holds of ships sometimes coming from bitter winters into blazing summers.

They suffer miserable lives for the sake of human "entertainment".

"The life of circus animals is hard and demanding. Although some circuses are better than others at caring for their animals, no circus can ever provide an acceptable way of life for an animal." (RSPCA UK)

Rodeos

The animals used in rodeos are not aggressive by nature, they are physically provoked into displaying "wild" behaviour by the use of such devices as spurs, electric prods and flank straps.

RSPCA is opposed to rodeos but can't stop them because they are not illegal!

"The Australian Veterinary Association recognises that the rodeo events are stressful to participating animals, serve no beneficial purpose to those animals and bare little resemblance to current farming practices. ......Roping events should be discontinued" Australian Veterinary Association policy on rodeos.

Rodeos are not an accurate or harmless portrayal of ranching skills. They do not represent current stock handling skills.

Horses in rodeos, buck because electric prodders terrify them into a frenzy and as the gate opens, a "flank strap" around their groin area is suddenly tightened. The strap presses on sensitive nerves causing severe pain. The horses buck in a desperate effort to relive the pain.

Other livestock are also tormented with electric prodders and can suffer severe bruising, broken bones and internal injuries when they are thrown during events. Cattle are left without veterinary treatment, food or water for long periods of time.

A steer is thrown by grabbing the horns and twisting its neck until the body is flipped in the air and the animal slams to the ground on its side. Broken bones and injuries to the horns and neck muscles often result. This event is banned in Texas, USA, because it is regarded as too dangerous for the steer.

In calf roping events, a calf may be running at 40km per hour when the lasso tightens around its neck, jerking it to the ground. The force of the impact can cause bruising and haemorrhaging around the neck and shoulders.

Because of the cruelty involved, rodeos are completely banned in Britain and in parts of Europe, Australia and USA.