Circuses
Circuses and other animal entertainments
The animal rights answer
The use of animals to entertain human beings is wrong because:
- it treats the animal as a means to achieve some human end
- it fails to treat animals with the respect they deserve
- it violates the animal's right to live in freedom
The animal welfare answer
The use of animals to entertain human beings is wrong from the welfare point of view because:
- it removes animals from their natural habitat and social structure
- it involves the animal in performances that are foreign to their natural behaviour
- it may involve cruelty during the show (e.g. bullfighting, rodeos)
- it may involve cruelty in training the animal
- it may involve cruelty in the way the animal is kept and transported
- animals can be taught to perform provided their minimum needs for food and shelter are met; proper respect for animals requires better treatment than the minimum