Circuses

Because circuses are often lacking in funds, many animals go without adequate water, food, living quarters, and medical attention for the duration of their annual eleven-month tours. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) requires that animals have enough room to stand up and turn around in their cages; however, these requirements are often disregarded because the USDA has not employed a sufficient number of investigators to enforce them. When the animals are relieved from their cages it is either to perform or to train. Circus trainers rely on physical punishment to instill obedience and good showmanship. Some animals are drugged and some have their teeth removed. Pat Derby, a former animal trainer, said that, "After 25 years of observing and documenting circuses, I know there are no kind animal trainers."

The AWA does not as yet have any restrictions on training methods. These animals are forced performers as circus goers can see by the whips, tight collars, muzzles, electric prods, bull hooks, and other instruments relied on by trainers in the arena. This cruelty, coupled with the confined cages in which the animals live, is detrimental to animals both physically and psychologically. The Born Free Foundation found that confined elephants spent nearly 25% of their time bobbing their head repeatedly or swaying, and confined bears spent 30% of their time pacing, both of which are documented signs of neuroses. It is also for these reasons that some animals have run amok, killing their trainers and some circus goers in the process. Since the installation of the AWA, which is a rather soft set of rules for circuses, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus have been cited for a combined 65 violations.