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Animals In Entertainment


Everyone has been to the circus, or watched a movie with animals as the main characters. The last thing you think about while you are watching 'Babe'  is that the pig playing 'Babe' may have been mistreated. Many people who go to circuses know that the entertainment industry has a history of mistreating animals. This mistreatment includes being mal-nourished, being whipped, cut or beaten, kept in places much to small for them, and not provided with proper veterinary care.
Ringling Brothers says this "Trainers teach animals routines that showcase their natural behaviors, beauty, and distinctive personalities."
      In nature elephants do not just stand on their heads, bears can't jump on a trampoline, and tigers don't walk around on two legs. Getting them to do these confusing tasks is extremely difficult and requires much training. They often use whips, muzzles, electric prods, and bull hooks to get the animals to do what they please. Between acts animals are kept in cages or chained. When they are kept in cages there is often barely enough room for them to take one step. When they are chained the chains are sometimes so tight that they will cut, bruise, or cut off the animals circulation.
 

 
The animals are also sometimes mutated to create a twisted 'sideshow'. Ringling Brothers has mutated a baby goats head by removing both horns, then surgically attaching one to the middle of its head. Creating a sick looking unicorn. Is this what we are paying money for? To see animals hurt, killed, and literally tortured for our own entertainment. I thought mankind was much more sophisticated than that. I thought we were past the era where Gladiators killed each other and dogs fought to the death, so we wouldn't be bored.

 

Types of 'Training' Tools



 
 

Chains -Elephants are chained by one or both front and hind legs during training sessions, transport, and often between shows. Inadequate exercise and prolonged standing in wet, unsanitary conditions may lead to foot problems such as foot rot, cracked nails, and infected cuticles.
Rope-Baby elephants born in breeding compounds are prematurely removed from their mothers for training. During the separation process, calves are kept isolated and tied with ropes at the front leg and back leg. Rope burns may develop as they struggle against the restraints.
Bull Hooks-The bullhook, or ankus, has a long handle and a sharp metal hook, and it's used to discipline elephants. Although an elephant's skin is thick, it is sensitive enough for them to feel the pain of an insect bite. Trainers embed the hook into the soft tissue behind the ears and inside the mouth or tender spots under the chin and around the feet.
Electrical Shock-Like the whip, a jolt of electrical current is painful. Circuses often use electric prods and smaller hand-held shocking devices that are easily concealed.

For More information about animals in the entertainment business click on one of the links below.

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