Elephants in circuses are rebelling in attempts to escape their sad existences. Since 1990, elephants have killed at least 46 people and injured many more. In 1994, an elephant killed her trainer and injured 12 spectators before being gunned down by almost 100 bullets while running terrified through downtown Honolulu. But we have not been listening. The circus deprives animals of their basic needs to exercise, roam, socialize, forage, and play.
Laws protecting animals in circuses are insufficient and poorly enforced.
The Animal Welfare Act establishes only minimum guidelines and even these paltry standards are often disregarded. WEVD, Children, who are naturally fond of animals, would have to be dragged kicking and screaming to the circus if they knew of the suffering these animals endure for a fleeting moment of so- called amusement. Bob DeFranco is an animal behavior therapist, executive director of the Animal Behavior Center of New York and president of the American Foundation for Animal Rescue, Inc. in Queens.