I support boycotting the Ringling circus. Don't use animals as sideshow attractions!

Posted by: Brianna | April 23, 2009 04:55 PM

there is a carnival going on in upland on 2nd ave. giving elephant rides in this tiny space that the elephant can hardly fit in...its heartbreaking and i wish i had a way to stop it.

Posted by: danielle | April 23, 2009 07:34 PM

CIRCUSES HURT ANIMALS SO THEY WILL "PERFORM" SILLY "TRICKS" FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT.

PARENTS - TAKE YOUR CHILDREN TO DISNEY'S MOVIE, "EARTH" SO YOUE CHILDREN CAN LEARN ABOUT ANIMALS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT AND SEE HOW THEY SHARE LOVE FOR EACH OTHER AND HOW THEY TEACH CHILDREN TO GROW AND SURVIVE - THESE ARE REALITIES THAT FAR SURPASS SEEING BEATEN TIGERS ROLLING ON THE FLOOR IN UNISON AND ELEPHANTS STANDING ON PEDESTALS AND DOGS JUMPING OFF PEDESTALS IN DRESSES. THIS IS AN ETHICAL STAIN ON OUR SO CALLED "CIVILIZED" HUMANITY. ANIMALS ARE NOT OURS TO TORTURE WITH ELECTRIC SHOCKS AND SHARP METAL OBJECTS SO WE CAN SEE THEM PERFORM SILLY TRICKS!

I CAN ONLY HOPE SOME OF THESE SADISTIC TRAINERS REAP WHAT THEY SOW SOON! MAYBE THEY WILL LEARN ALTHOUGH UNLIKELY OR THEY WOULDN'T BE BEATING ANIMALS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Posted by: I love PETA! | April 24, 2009 12:10 AM

I was just in mexico city and came from the hotel and there was a protest going on about circus animals, although most in spanish i got the jist and i was so happy that even in a country that kills bulls and are considered to be heroic? People still care about animals it was great relief and me and my family offered to hand out the leaflets on my way to the tube. i ave and always will boycott circuses involving animals thank god they are banned in england.

Posted by: nicole white | April 24, 2009 12:17 AM

Good tiger, that's what that horrible master gets for abusing him in the first place. Hopefully, they won't punish the tiger :)

Posted by: Gina | April 24, 2009 12:40 AM

Another good one, Peta!

Posted by: lynda downie | April 24, 2009 02:22 AM

That's just silly

Posted by: Jo | April 24, 2009 10:14 AM

Way to go PETA!!!! I'm so glad there are people who aren't afraid to speak up with what is so ridiculously wrong with a circus, not to mention all the other stupid things people can do to a animal! Thank you!!!! I like the idea to go see the movie "Earth". That was a neat suggestion and I want to go see it.

Posted by: wendy | April 24, 2009 01:36 PM

circuses are just plain cruel. animals aren't made to be used as things that you can just beat up and then throw away. they have feelings too. once i was at this little carnival and they were giving pony rides. i saw the pony and it was in this really small area just giving tons of kids rides. they didn't feed it or anything. STOP ANIMAL ABUSE!!!!!

Posted by: emily | April 24, 2009 03:39 PM

to the person who posted bout mexico city- don't you see how ironic it is. they torture bulls by spearing them but not killing them. because after all it is culture. and what would a country be without it's culture? somewhat more civilized than they were 100 years ago? they wanna support one cause but yet engage in such a horrible "sport". i'm not saying i'm not a hypocrite in some way or another, but i'm also not out protesting one thing while condoning another.

while i don't think that anyone should make light of a situation like getting hurt by a dangerous animal, i also get it. if i were poked and prodded and whipped, i guess i might get fed up one day, too.

Posted by: brandie | April 24, 2009 04:26 PM

When I first saw this I thought human "trainer" and another tortured big cat had gotten into it with the predictable results.

What a relief to find it was just a demonstation.

Posted by: Re. Meg Schramm | April 27, 2009 02:51 PM

First of all, I saw the elephant video. I began to cry when they shot that poor defensles creature about a million times! Those people who got beaten up and thrown away by the animals deserved it! If i had someone doing that to me, They would be far worse the the people the elephant attacked! Stop this torture! It's cruel, mean, stupid, and unnecessary!!! Just stop!!!!

Posted by: Alex Sanders | May 1, 2009 05:02 PM

@ brandie
The irony is that you think that the people protesting against circus cruelty condones bullfighting. That's just plain stupid. I'm mexican and I hate any kind of animal cruelty. Bullfighting and circus cruelty are the same, so the same people will always be against it.

Don't talk about a culture being hypocritical if you don't know about the social movements against cruelty. Maybe you should've been here in the rally against bullfighting...

Posted by: iñaki | May 5, 2009 07:28 PM

My 7 yr old son and I just watched the undercover investigation video, how can they sleep at night after what they do all day? I have never nor will I ever go to and/or take my son to the circus. The pain and sadness on these loving creatures faces is OBVIOUS! We can all talk a good game, but make a difference...a real difference by action!

Posted by: Re | July 22, 2009 11:15 AM

i collect elephants an i don't like it when people mistreat animals it makes me sick i can make sure that it the shoe was on the other foot they would not be doing that im thing they have no heart or feelings and for the lions im surprised that they didnt turn on that trainer.

Posted by: geralyn | July 22, 2009 12:26 PM

Since childhood that I don't enjoy circus. The picture of the animals moving around in little circles, inside tiny cages, allways make me sad... it breaks my heart to think abouth what those creatures might feel, away from all that should be their lives. animals don't belong in circuses, their purpose is NOT owr, so called, amusement... I don't see any amusement on those animals, who are playing the roles in the arenas. Stop allowing animals in circus. Keep on fighting animal abusers.

Posted by: PEDRO J. CRAVINO | July 22, 2009 12:38 PM

I am horrified by these videos!

Posted by: Marilyn | July 22, 2009 03:47 PM

People should really do this. Put those idiotic Ringling brothers workers in a cage barely the size of them for 24 hours, have them be whipped and prodded. I full on support boycotting the Ringling Brothers circus. Thanks PETA for your fight (:

Posted by: mae elbird | July 22, 2009 03:55 PM

I am so sad that this is done to the animals at the circus-This opened my eyes to the sad state the circus lets animals live in- I will never ever go to a circus and i will tell any and everyone i know about this-Thank u peta-u have opened our eyes and god bless u for doing it!!!Ringling u out to be closed down and i hope u have to go bankrupt paying fines-oh and all those who have hurt the animals i know u will rot in hell for this-

Posted by: Fayjon | July 22, 2009 04:01 PM

those bastards that are shown striking the elephants how f------ f---ed you a-----es i hope and pray that they pay you low life peice of sh--s back cause if the animals dont GOD WILL rot in hell u a**holes

Posted by: norma | July 22, 2009 04:09 PM

i will never go to a circus again i went to them when i was a kid and that was before i knew they did this i will never go again now! and i will never recommend it!

Posted by: gee | July 22, 2009 04:19 PM

please close the ringling bros circus forever and place these poor animals who cannot help themselves in sanctuarys where they can live happy in peace. Place all those involved in cruelty in jail and give them a taste of their own cruelty.

Posted by: debbie pajak | July 22, 2009 04:25 PM

Today I have no idea what is wrong with people. Never go to the Ringling Brothers Circus STOP it's expansion in Cony Island. They abuse the Tigers and Elephants. They hit them with Bullhorns just to get the to behave and preform curel and unnatural tricks. In the Ringling Bros. circus, elephants are beaten, hit, poked, prodded, and jabbed with sharp hooks, sometimes until bloody. Tigers are viciously struck with sticks so that they'll perform difficult and confusing tricks. Be the voice for these animals by sharing this information with everyone you know. Spread the word everywhere.I could understand that in some cultures they normaly ride Elephants but they get to rome around a flat plain for as long as they can. At least ther not kept in cages a little but bigger then there bodies. I did like the Circus I always wanted to go to the Circus. Resently this Fathers Day I went to the Ringling Brothers Circus and yes it was fun, but what I noticed was the 6 Tigers performing looked like they didnt want to be there. They also looked terified of there keeper they wouldnt even walk up to her, they tried to stay as far away as they could. If they moved an inch without instructed they of course would be hit with a long whip. I wouldn't of been surprized if one of them attacked her. If i was the Tiger I would have. Wild animals should be kept in the WILD, Duh! About 6 Full grown Tigers were walking around in a 6ft by 2ft cage on stage. If they show you how they keep them on stage could you just imagine what the cags they live in backstage. Meanwhile in a Zoo the cages are miles and miles for 2 Tigers. My opinion don't go to the Circus go to the Zoo sure they have captive animals but they grew up in captive, and their cages are as big as they could be. Did you ever see the Elephant exibit in the Zoo its THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of miles long for a little Elephant family of a mom a dad and about 3 to 4 babies. Stop supporting Circus' every where, even if they sware they take good care of the animals trust me they dont. If they sware they take good care of the animals then they wouldn't mind showing the pedestrians were they keep the animals and let some poeple see them before the show and come in early to see the animals in action before the show starts. They now even have Dogs at the Circus but i havent heard of them abusing them, well with today all you hear of is people abusing dogs. Now im just one very devoted 13 year old girl, but if thousands of people c hear what I have to say we all could come together and make a difference.

Posted by: Chyenne | July 22, 2009 04:58 PM

I watched a video of an elephant escaping and stomping on a person and running outside. I was terrified and shocked when the poor elephant was shot by a rifle. This was so tragic to me and I will always remember what happened to that innocent, loving elephant.

Posted by: Christina | July 22, 2009 06:03 PM

I support boycotting the Ringling circus!!

Posted by: Rachel | July 22, 2009 07:52 PM

I am shocked and disgusted that a " Family " orientated show such as " Ringling " would allow these animals to be treated in such a way . I will tell everyone I know and direct them to PETA's site to witness the horror these animals endure . I will never take my kids to see their show and I do hope that these creeps are prosecuted to the full extent of the law and I hope they get raked over the coals both fanwise and pocketbook wise. AAs for the rejects beating these animals I hope they get theirs as well.

Posted by: Tracie Hopkins | July 22, 2009 09:39 PM

Boycott and stop this horrible treatment to the animals.

Posted by: Frisco | July 23, 2009 12:18 AM

Why doesn't the government see whats going on in this world around us and put all the cruelty to a STOP!!! PLEASE,PLEASE STOP EXPLOITING ALL ANIMALS. WHERE IS THE HUMANITY IN HURTING INNOCENT CREATURES? If it was a human they would stop it right now.And so let it be that all people,HUMANS we are called will end this BARBARIC,HIDEOUS INJUSTICE OF ATTACK AND OUTRAGE ABUSE ON ALL GODS LOVING CREATURES ON THIS EARTH. JUST DON'T FORGET WE ARE ALL CREATURES ON THIS EARTH TO SHARE WITH ALL ANIMALS, BECAUSE GOD MADE THEM AND PUT THEM HERE ON THIS EARTH FIRST BEFORE ANY HUMANS WHERE THOUGHT ABOUT.SO ITS #1 FIRST ANIMALS....THEN #2 US...H.U.M.A.N.S..REMEMBER THAT WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF WHAT GOD GIVES ALL OF US.AND THAT'S THE LIFE'S OF ALL ANIMALS.SAVE THEIR LIVES PLEASE .STOP THE TORTURE OF ALL ANIMALS IN THIS HATEFUL WORLD NOW PLEASE BEFORE IT'S TO LATE.WE NEED THEM ALL!!!

Posted by: karin keaton | July 23, 2009 11:27 AM

You all are crazy... now this comment will not appear which explains why the only ones showing are those in favor of your views. It is evident that you can not take the opposing views and choose to hide them. I did not see any abuse of the elephants in the new video. The elephants skin is tough and they were in most cases not even hitting them hard. You just want people to think they are so that every animal will live wild and free. That is what is wrong with this country.. people come in and take things that have been a pleasure for families forever and try to turn them into something bad just to get what they want. Animals are animals.. not family members. There is a point that things can be constituted abuse however what you are trying to pass off here is clearly not abuse to someone not bias to your views.

Posted by: Amanda | July 23, 2009 01:05 PM

they need to beat the trainers with a Bullhook see how good it feels to them , I've never taken my kids to a circus and never will for just that reason , Ringling needs the animals taken away from them.Circuses should not be allowed to have the animals if they can't take care of them and treat them right. i say PETA takes the animals away from the circus , its awful to watch the videos , and the vet that doesn't see anything wrong with it needs glasses and fired.

Posted by: barb | July 23, 2009 01:19 PM

I haven't been to see a circus for many years, and after watching these videos and seeing the cruelty to the poor Elephants that cannot defend themselves,I will never go to another circus.I would love to see the Elephants grab those bull hooks and use them on the trainers to show the trainers how it feels. God put these Animals on Earth for a purpose and not to be abused. It made me cry watching these videos knowing that men and women can be so mean and heartless. What have the POOR Elephants done to them besides provide them with a paycheck!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Sylvia | July 23, 2009 01:22 PM

I recently took my family to see the Ringling Brother circus when it came to Houston, Texas. I wish I had found this site before then because I certainly would not have been a part of paying for those cruel heartless people to be so mean to one of God's greatest creations. Those poor elephants on the video had all their spirit beaten out of them and did not know how to be one of the rulers of the jungle, which is what they were meant to be. I hope that a lot of people find this site and decide not to go to this circus again. I was disappointed in the performances anyway and now that I know what those poor animals have to go through, I am so sorry that I contributed toward those people's support. I will spread the word to as many people as I can not to ever attend one of their circuses. Thanks for PETA to spread this information to the public and I hope that they get what they deserve, which would be the strongest punishment possible. I hope this happens in time for these animals to retire to a place where they can live in freedom and peace.

Posted by: Sandra Brandon | July 23, 2009 02:04 PM

This is a cruel pratice and they need to be shut down. I'm amazed that now there's footage showing abuse, how and why are they still able to do it. What can regular people do to help?

Posted by: cynthia | July 23, 2009 02:06 PM

I find it totally unacceptable of any animal being hurt, beeaten, injured in anyway I refuse to go to the circus and urge my friends not to also.
I think this type of cicus should be banned forth with I remain Rose Carpenter NZ

Posted by: Rose Carpenter | July 23, 2009 06:19 PM

AMAZED, SHOCKED, AND VERY DISTURBED, BY THE WAY THEY HANDLE THIS MARVELOUS ELEPHANTS MY COMMENTS AS ALWAYS IN THIS CASES IS SHAME, AND SHAME ON HUMANS, MY WORST FEELINGS COME OUT, WITH THIS SITUATIIONS UPON US HUMANS, MYSELF IS ASHAMED, BY THIS.
CULTURE AS IN ONE COMMENT SAYS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CRUELTY, AND DEATH, BECAUSE BULLS ARE KILLED IN LAS TOREADAS.
MY DEEP WISH IS THAT ANIMALS COULD BE APPRECIATED IN THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENT, AND US HUMANS SHOULD BE DELIGHTED BY JUST WATCHING THE BEAUTY OF NATURE.
BUT THAT SEEMS TO BE IMPOSSIBLE. I DO DEMAND JUSTICE AND FREEDOM ON THOSE ANIMALS OF THEIR TORTURES.

Posted by: monica neumaier | July 23, 2009 06:35 PM

I LOVE YOU PETA!!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK>>I AM NOW HELPING AS MUCH AS I CAN!!!!
GOD BLESS THE ANIMALS!!!!!!
XXOO
SUSIE FROM VERMONT

Posted by: susie holdman | July 23, 2009 07:10 PM

Fantastic work, Peta and I wish you every success with your legal case. Anyone who has seen these magnificent, highly sentient and intelligent creatures in wildlife films should know how gentle and loving they are with their families and young. They even revisit the bones of their dead in some sort of ritual which is yet to be understood by humans. These poor creatures have no spirit left in them; just look at their demeanour in the film.I pray you can get them away from this barbaric life and into a sanctuary where they can start to heal. Amanda (July 23rd) I will never be able to understand such a blind and irational denial of the evidenced facts.

Posted by: Cathy | July 24, 2009 08:04 AM

PETA! You are the bomb! I thank God for you everyday for helping animals in every way you do. This world would be so different if it were not for you. Miss Ingrid, I have always thought very highly of you for doing what you do and how you do it. Terrific work! Honestly, I will never be the same after all the proof and videos i have seen. i have cried so hard. i get this horrible horrible feeling in my stomache when i see the unthinkable happen to innocent beings. I cant wait to see them all in their animal heaven. And FYI amanda...you will have so much fun burnin in hell

Posted by: Kelsea Thea | July 24, 2009 10:50 AM