Stereotypically, “Many of us … will ooh and ahh over a dog playing in the theatre, but wouldn’t dream of going to see an animal performing in a circus…” (Gardner, L. 2014). So, should animals be used in the Theatre and the Entertainment Industry? This essay discusses the history of animals performing within a theatre or circus, the representation of animals within a performance, whether it is humane or inhumane for animals to be apart of the entertainment industry and should animals continue performing in theatres and the entertainment industry.
Animals that perform within the theatre and entertainment industry can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. However, travelling performances, such as circuses, gained popularity in the
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P.T Barnum essentially founded animal cruelty within the industry. Mr Barnum used horrific methods of burning, using a hot poker, to handle animals, whilst also being responsible for the myth that elephants could not feel pain through their thick skin. When Barnum first created the circus he imported nine elephants from Sri Lanka in a cramped ship hold and kept inside for four months, with no air and insufficient space to take a single step. Subsequently this cause one elephant to die by the time the ship had arrived in America. Barnum was then fined more than £200,000 for animal rights violation, and his circus has been fined as recently as 2011. Several circuses in the United Kingdom still force animals; using inhumane methods. Training methods follow the foot steps of Barnum by using methods such as fear, submission, deprivation and physical punishment. Research suggests that the ‘Animal Rights Act 2006’ might not have existed without the help of P.T Barnum and his travelling circus. Predominately, animal cruelty causes many people to believe that they should not be used as …show more content…
Trainers of the animals now need to have experience and use progressive humane methods of training. The failure to provide for the need of the animals could lead to an offence if believed to be a case of animal
Deborah Nelson's article “Ringling Brothers Circus’s Treatment of Elephants is Cruel” says more should be done to help hurting Elephants. Nelson states Elephants are being beaten and dying for the way they are being treated. Even when the Elephants are clearly sick, they are still being beaten to perform in shows. Nelson says for years nothing has been done. Videos have been released of the beatings and still nothing.
Many deaths of elephants occur in the circuses. Ringling Bros. was charged with violations of the Animal Welfare Act after the circus forced Kenny, a three year old elephant, to perform even thought the animal was obviously sick. A veterinarian checking on the elephants that same day said he “should remain in the barn,” an hour after Kenny’s last performance, he passed away. Circus owners care about fame and fortune, not about the health of the
As recent market trends show (8), customers are ready and willing to pay more for these demands. Pittman introduced this idea effectively, and I believe he argues well that reform is the best approach. However, I think he could have bolstered his argument by showing why it was in everyone’s best interest and offering the idea of certification programs (9) as an option as well. Overall, I fully agree that we need laws and enforcement preventing abuse of animals that have no control over the situation they were born into.
Animals once worshipped like gods are now abused and used for entertainment. The circus and SeaWorld, two places common for entertaining children, display their animals in grand shows, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg of the truth. Hidden, are the cruel practices, immoral punishments, and unhealthy psychological effects that most of the animals experience. There is a reason why animal rights activists protested. There is a reason why Sea World is ending its world famous Orca whale shows.
Did you know that killer whale kill three people at Sea World? In the video “Should Animals Be Used for Entertainment” and articles “Jump to It” and “The Use of Animals in Entertainment” They both use the rhetorical appeal pathos but also has similarities and differences.
This problem can be seen across the agriculture industry, not just in the equine portion. Millions of animals are in unfit homes with unfit owners that don’t care about the wellbeing of their animals. Sadly, there is no one solution to such an extensive problem, however there are steps that can be taken to reduce this occurrence. Being educated and aware that animal abuse is happening and being able to recognize the signs of it is the first step. Another way to break down this problem is making sure the person who is buying an animal is knowledgeable and prepared to care for that animal.
Like birds or cats? What happens if we cannot get access to certain animals? Are there any other certifications we can get besides a service animal? Individuals think that these special jobs should not be limited to a certain species, and personally it is understandable. These people may have allergies or just not like the animal they can have.
Emotional Support Animals: Training for Public Safety Across the nation, the public may be at risk for injury due to untrained animals in our stores. In spite of the increase for support animals in our nation, the United States Government has not addressed the issue that a mandatory system must be in place. Many people view emotional support animals as service animals. These animals help patients with treatment of anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms, just to name a few.
Circuses are more than just an extravagant evening rendezvous. The exhilaration gained from entire families’ valiant works a hair’s breadth away from injury, with not a net or harness to cradle their shortcomings, is hardly matched. One could not imagine a greater feat of merriment if left to their own devices and for good reason. That is to say the waves of eyes darting towards the centerpiece incite no lesser feeling of chagrin. The tides of townspeople, dressed to the nines with only a scaffold to support their boisterous japery bind the crowd, their purposes ultimately served in total.
The general argument made by author Kelly Wallace in her work, “After Sea World, a “Blackfish effect” on circuses and zoos?”, is that places with animals in captivity are under fire. More specially, Wallace writes, “the public has completely changed its opinion on exploiting and killing animals for entertainment.” (Wallace para 3). In this passage, Wallace is suggesting that people now believe that animals should be protected, cared for, and healthy not overworked or abused. Animals are not supposed to be in small cages for people to look at.
Although Jeremy Rifkin, Bob stevens, and Lois Frazier have all written about their view on animals and how they are treated globally, but when bringing in animal rights groups like ASPCA and PETA, different bias and tactics are newly introduced. Of all the articles, Jeremy Rifkin uses the most credible sources such as lab studies and examples. In the article “A Change of Heart about Animals” Rifkin uses sources such as Purdue University and the European union when talking about situations. One situation he writes about is how pigs need social activity so the pigs are not “lacking mental and physical stimuli [which] hand result in deterioration of health”.
Millions of people from all across the world have witnessed the utter amazement of the circus. The elephants circling the arena in their colorful attire, the thrilling stallions performing their jaw dropping tricks, and the brave tigers leaping through hoops. Although the show is entertaining, many people don’t realize the suffering of these poor, defenseless animals, and what they go through to make the “perfect” show. The organization, Lega Antivisezione, works to battle animal cruelty. They use the statement "The show mustn’t go on", presenting the case that circuses should be animal free.
To illustrate, zoos and animal circuses aren't needed to fulfill someone's happiness. There are many other activates that do not involve anyone suffering or being forced. “ Instead of switching exclusively to human performers—who perform by choice rather than force— the 146-year-old institution continued to bully animals” (DeRose 1). In addition, Fur from animals is a trend in the fashion industry, but animals should not have to suffer to have their fur used to be shown off. “Several years ago, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to ban the use of bullhooks on elephants, and the City of West Hollywood banned the sale of fur products” (DeRose 2).
These are the most vexing issues in an animal welfare. This is an urgent widespread problem. The humane society is a group of aiming toward
Animals are subjected to excruciating experiments daily. Countries such as Israel and India have stopped animal testing as well as Britain. “…countless animals are experimented on and then killed…” (Murnaghan 1). Animals are subjected to confined rooms all of their lives, used in painful experiments and then disposed of as if they are an inanimate object.