CIRCUS: Animals there under duress

Just this week I was driving by the fairgrounds and saw on the reader board that Shrine Circus would be coming into town on June 19. I have to say I am appalled that Coeur d’Alene is hosting this type of event since it is becoming widely known that these animals are heavily abused by their trainers.

Elephants do not want to balance on balls and do these unnatural tricks. They perform them because they are beaten into submission and are afraid of the repercussions if they do not listen. Shrine circuses have been fined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for failing to provide veterinary care, shelter, exersize, nutritious food, and clean drinking water, and for endangering the animals and the public. When these animals aren’t performing behind the scenes they are beaten with bullhooks and whips and kept in chains and caged.

I hope many people choose not to support a circus that treats animals with such cruelty and urge Shrines to switch to an animal-free circus.

MIRANDA RAFFERTY

Blanchard