Wednesday, February 15, 2012
News Ringling Bros. Circus kicks off tonight, but there's an elephant in the room
Posted by Gwynedd Stuart @gwynnstu on Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 3:34 PM
The circus pulled into Philips Arena today, and will be in town through Monday. A circus spokesman told WABE that if the ban had held up, the circus wouldn't have come to town: "The guide acts as an extension of the handler's arm and is an invaluable tool in the humane and safe handling of elephants."
PETA, the group that's led the charge against the use of bullhooks, argues that they aren't, in fact, "humane" tools. They've also argued that Judge John Goger's decision is flawed. Judge Goger basically ruled the way he did because for the ban to apply in Atlanta, Atlanta would have had to pass its own ban.
In a release, a PETA spokesman said:
The legislation banning bullhooks was passed because of a serious commitment by the citizens and commissioners of Fulton County to prohibit this sort of animal abuse in their community. The Municipal Code of Atlanta very clearly incorporates all of the Fulton County animal control ordinances—including the bullhook ban.
Judge Goger disagreed that the incorporation of Fulton animal control in the City of Atlanta was quite so "clear." An official "intergovernmental agreement" does not, apparently, exist.
My incessant blogging about baby animals probably serves to reveal that I'm hardly an impartial party in this debate. Personally, I think I'll skip the circus this year. And every year. But, hey, have fun if you're into that kind of thing.
Comments (12)
Showing 1-12 of 12
Thanks Gwyn for sticking up for the elephants. Do you know of a protest, maybe by PETA or another animal rights organization, that could be going on outside Phillips?
You can also go online and see videos about how the 'bullhooks' are used. They are not humane. It looks like a bullhook might hurt a little.
like
dislikeI was at Philips today for a meeting, and walked out on the protest. It was about the size of the protest I see in the CL kitchen each week asking for stronger coffee. Not making a value judgment. IJS.
These elephants are just suffering to raise awareness for their free brothers.
Kids don't need to know how the elephants got there. Just made aware of what a real elephant is.
Soldiers on the frontlines of mankind if you will.
Seriously? Kids don't need to know that these elephants are held against their will and after years of frustration of being penned up and made to perform that they could possibly take out a family in front of them while they're at the circus "enjoying" said elephant? if i had kids i would be telling them the circus is WRONG and there is no reason for a wild animal of that size or any other size to be kept under such conditions for a "show". a show that sucks, by the way. screw the circus and screw Ringling Bros.
If you don't like it, don't go. If you think it's cruel, go see Cirque du Soleil. If you had kids, I would feel sorry for them.
Elefant- yes there is a protest every day organized by Georgia Animal Rights and Protection. Come join us. We will be in front of Philips Arena Feb. 16, and 17 from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM and Feb. 18, 19, 20 from 1 PM - 3 PM. We will be at the Techwood Entrance at 51 Centennial Park Dr. We have an event page on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/140212556096463/?ref=ts
who even goes to circuses anymore? talk about vicarious boomerism lurching zombie-like through the cultural landscape
bearbaiting died out for a reason
do the elephants still have that dwarf tossing act or did i dream that? might be worth seeing if true.
welll my love for the circus circuit was rekangled by that fine film with the twilight zombie and reese carter cash, there
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