Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows

Oh dear, now how on earth will they learn about animal abuse. Maybe you can take them to a rodeo.

All because of people who think being cruel to another animal for our entertainment is wrong, actually.

Not a rodeo, a bull fight. Now THAT is the definition of the torture and abuse of animals. I do love when matadors get gored to death on camera though. lol

As an advocate for animal rights and speaking for them that cannot, let me yell with jubilation that this abomination is gone. Elephants are perhaps more empathic than humans but that isn't the only reason. They're fellow earthlings and deserve a natural, unfettered life. As well as lions and tigers and bears plus monkeys. All of whom were stolen from their parents, tribes and homeland for foolish human entertainment.

THe kids will live. These animals live unnatural, miserable lives.

The circus killed itself by mistreating animals...

You're right - historically, the circus was entertainment, often the only entertainment for a community. But as we have come to understand that elephants, especially, are intelligent, caring beings, the "use" of them has become unpopular (as well as other animals). Ringling Bros. stated in its press release that no longer using elephants in their acts was a big part of declining attendance. History is what it is - and hopefully, in many areas, we have come to understand (and act) differently.

AncientFaces Indeed! There are so many examples of how different things are now, but context really is everything even when examining what we now consider to be wrong. I'm pretty sure in a hundred years we, and I include myself in this, will be judged by future standards and moralities, probably harshly as well!

A horrible era.

I was scared at the circus - but that's just me. (The animals, not the clowns :) ) Everyone of a certain age went to the circus. It was obligatory!!

Not all the animals at the circus were abused

So you believe it's ok to abuse some of the animals?

the fact they were there was abuse..either born in captivity or captured wild they do/did not belong there for our intertainment

Yes all the animals were abused!

It is good to move on from certain animal acts

If the circus abuses animals, which do you cut and which do you keep? Save the elephants but it's ok to hurt the Tigers and the monkeys? What's the pecking order? Why protect some and not all?

There are some animal acts with dogs, cats, birds, horses. Many of which say they use rescued animals. They can also have education shows with tigers, elephants, and others that would not be considered abuse.

While it sounds good in theory, the animals would still be abused. They still claim they need to use bull hooks to keep the elephants in line. Tasers keep tigers from the front of the cage. To keep wild animals in cages and traveling on trains is abuse within itself.

While the animals would not performing per say, they would still need to be trained and corralled and that is where the abuse happens.

Even with the cats and dogs. Kennels on trains for days is awful. When does the dog get to run and play? Can you picture a cat, days on a train in a carrier? What it must do to their health!

The circus could have carried on with other, non animal shows, Cirque du Soleil makes a killing.

Why don't you just say you're ok with animal abuse?

I agree there could have been a lot more enforcement on the protection of the animals, it shouldn't mean that the circus had to be put out of business because idiots and the public "outcry" deemed it necessary to boycott and therefore take another piece of history and tradition and toss it away in favor of more kinder, gentler and pablum smeared public coddling activities like finger painting in the park.

I do not condone animal cruelty, but instead of working against the circus, there could have been a pro active alternative for both sides...so, don't tell me that I should be ok with abuse of any kind...you don't know me, if you did and actually took the time to try and ask why I posted what i did instead of jumping on my comment...you would have known what I think.....right now I think you just need to find a safe room so life can't get in and doesn't hurt your feelings

Steven, no one said the circus needed to stop. They just needed to stop the animal shows and fill in with other circus acts. They chose to only do away with the elephants while still abusing other animals. Cirque du Soleil has no problems selling out and with outrageous ticket prices.

As to me jumping on your post, it's not as if your post was so friendly. Is being rude exclusive to yourself? Cause let me tell you, I can hold my own in the department... 😇

"Are you serious a safe room where nothing hurt can them...is a lot more fun". You mean animals being abused that don't the option to leave and can't defend themselves? Are f****** kidding me? Is that the safe room you are referring too? No one said he circus had to close. They made that decision on their own they could easily have taken the animal acts out.

Interesting history - the co could have developed these areas

They were in show biz. Great grandmother & grandmother were actresses & models for a couple of studios in Hollywood. Grandfather was half Cherokee/ cowboy & was in a few of Tom Mix silent films & a bootlegger too.