After reading the editorial from the Thursday, Aug. 2, La Jolla Village News (“Upcoming Ringling Bros. Circus visit again throws spotlight on treatment of pachyderms,” page 1), I am absolutely convinced that the old past era of traveling circuses is indeed over. This form of so-called entertainment worked well in the past, but should be put to rest with the dinosaurs.
A glimpse of circus life never shows the back stage of animal cruelty and neglect. Any normal person would not want their money spent on propagation of more animal cruelty and neglect, much less allowing their children to view what appears to be a happy place, but is actually shrouded in dark practices of chaining, hooking, beatings, exhaustion and possible death in hot cages.
I am thankful that a few people (like Florence Lambert) continue to spend tireless hours in efforts to assist all circus animals, hopefully soon, to an emancipation from chains and cages. Because of articles like yours, the public is becoming enlightened to the ongoing cruelty circus animals must endure for an ever-shrinking audience. I also beg that the USDA practice their full task of compliance with required humane conditions. I request no one accept free tickets, buy tickets, or attend the circus. In this way, we can assist with ending the circus.