Mar09
Shrine Circus Elephant Ride Injures 12 Kids
Posted at 12:38 PM | Permalink
| 
Comments (10)
 |
The staircase collapse isn't the first dangerous incident involving an elephant used by a Shrine Circus. In 2005, a trainer working for the Shrine Circus in Fort Wayne, Indiana, was stomped to death as he loaded elephants onto a trailer. In 2003, an elephant at the Shrine Circus in Muskegon, Michigan, escaped from a tent and fled into a busy downtown area. In 2002, two elephants with the Shrine Circus in Dunn County, Wisconsin, bolted out of a circus tent, scattering frightened circusgoers.
In other Shrine Circus news, we've learned that an exhibitor whose bears were used during a Shrine Circus performance last year at Knox County Middle School in Tennessee was cited by the USDA for serious violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including seating people within 20 feet of the bear without a barrier of any kind. We've written a letter to the school principal urging him to ban circuses with animal acts from appearing on school grounds in the future.
Many people don't realize that the Shriners do not operate their own circus. Shrine temples either hire an existing circus or put together a collection of animal exhibitors and other acts that perform under the Shrine Circus name. Many of the animal exhibitors the Shriners hire have deplorable records of animal care. Click here to read our factsheet on the Shrine Circus.
People, run—don't walk—away from any circus that uses animals. And whatever you do, don't let any guy in a fez talk you into placing your tots on the back of some poor elephant whose own kids have been taken away from her and who now spends her days being chained up and jabbed with a bullhook. Today just might be the day she snaps. And really, who could blame her?
Posted by Alisa Mullins
TAGGED:
elephants circuses shrine circus shriners
Comments
Get all elephants out of circuses. They deserve a good life with adequate space and food and the company of their friends. Circus is torture!
Posted by: Joanna | March 9, 2009 06:42 PM
Elephant rides?
Just how crazy are the Shriners?
Hurting kids while claiming to help them. What a bunch of hypocrites
Posted by: kelly | March 9, 2009 07:25 PM
This is really sad!
Posted by: Julie | March 10, 2009 08:57 AM
When I was young, my parents took us to the circus. Not the one mentioned above, but another famous circus company. So, I can understand the fascination with seeing animals you otherwise wouldn't see on a typical day.
However, I also understand that any animal has the potential to attack when feeling intimiated or threatened. It doesn't sound like this elephant attacked on purpose or out of instinct, he simply knocked down some stairs. I bet those people will end up trying to sue the circus. When people are around animals that are wild, things will certainly happen. You get what you ask for.
I am pretty sure I rode on an elephants back when I was very little. It's a frightening thing for a child and for the animal(s). When an animal attaacks, it puts them in a bad light with the public. When really, the animal is only doing what it knows. I feel bad for the circus animals.
Posted by: brandie | March 10, 2009 09:10 AM
Every time I see children riding an elephant at these events, I remember Janet, the elephant who one day decided she had had enough and, with small, helpless passengers on her back, went on a rampage which ended only when she was killed by a police officer. The officer states he hears her crys to this day.
Posted by: Rev. Meg Schramm | March 10, 2009 10:51 AM
Shrine is part of Freemasonry. I used to be a Freemason till I got no where trying to voice my issues with animal abuse. They are hypocrites that much is true. Glad to be done with them.
Posted by: Ricky | March 10, 2009 03:08 PM
I'm going to be honest. While I don't go to circuses and feel sorry for elephants in this case I feel sorry for the kids who were injured than the darned elephant. :P
Posted by: Pepsi One is Fun | March 10, 2009 09:08 PM
I agree 100% that circuses must be stopped. I have been a supporter of PETA for a long time.
I am confused though, I like in Knox County, in Tennessee and there is no "Knox County Middle School". Our county has a large population and we have about 12 middle schools. Which school was the incident at?
Posted by: Chris loves animals | March 11, 2009 12:52 PM
I happen to be a zoologist, at that I live in michigan. Maybe you people should think how well these animals have it. The zoo is worse for them then the circus. If people do not like what happens when you are around animals then don't get close to them.
Children want to learn about animals and see them up close, that is for mommy and daddy to decide. Even with dogs there is a chance of something happening. One day people will relize that.
Posted by: Bailey | May 2, 2009 10:32 PM
This is extremely sad. I was at AFRICAN LION SAFARI in Cambridge Ontario, Canada, today where they boost that they enslave the largest herd of Asian elephants in North America. Three of these majestic animals were reduced to walking around and around in a small enclosure, while up to four people ride on their backs at $5 per ride.
These animals should not be enslaved for entertainment purposes!
I am still sickened by the fact that I went there today and my money has gone to supporting this activity.
I also note that in the Lion section, people in trucks would drive towards the Lions sleeping under shade enclosures to get them to get up so that we could see them.
This is a horrible place for animals to be and although they seem to have awards etc., they are cruel to the animals that they have imprisioned.
Posted by: Janice Nicol | July 6, 2009 12:51 AM