Letter: Why Do We Let This Circus Come To Town?

Towns and cities all over the country are banning circuses with animal acts -- why are we still celebrating Youth Appreciation Week by inviting our citizens to participate in cruelty to animals? Why are we inviting the perpetrators of abuse in?

Just three months ago, on February 23, Cole Bros and John Pugh, the company owner and president pleaded guilty for violating the Endangered Species Act. They were collectively sentenced to seven years probation, 100 hours of community service, and a fine of $155,200.    

Year after year we blindly accept that the Cole Brothers Circus is coming to town. We are therefore complicit in the abuse suffered by the elephants, camels, horses and other animals in this circus. 

Circus animals suffer terribly at the hands of their trainers.  They are routinely beaten into submission, isolated in tiny cages, shackled in chains, given little if any exercise, made to stand on concrete surfaces for hours on end, and are robbed of a normal existence. Elephants that would normally walk miles a day with their families in the wild seem sadly resigned to wander in tiny circles to the squealing delight of those they are forced to entertain.

Cole Brothers Circus has an egregious history of elephant abuse and neglect. They have been cited with numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including reports of abusive use of bullhooks on several elephants.  How sad that we celebrate our youth, their vitality, promise and success by suppressing the rights and freedoms of others.

Let's find another way to celebrate this Memorial weekend, one that better represents the hearts and minds of Livingston citizens.

Andrea Lieberman, Livingston