News Ringling Bros circus will shut down permanently in 2017

Amy SF

Amy SF

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Ringling Bros. Circus

I gotta tell you, my jaw dropped when I learned about this. I never expected it. I know there are circuses that do well with no animal acts whatsoever, but I guess a circus that has used animals for its entire existence and that's irretrievably linked to animal acts can't imagine existing without animals.
 
As happy as this makes me I'm saddened that they didn't see the opportunity to change their venue and make a circus more about creativity and human performance.
I did take my kids when they were young and there was tremendous potential for a great family time without animals. I remember there were events before and i think after the circus were kids got to try the trampoline and use a tight rope with a harness.
I fear nostalgia and hope things like Cirque Du Soleil will prosper
 
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My parents took me to RBB&B Circus when I was a young child. I was severely traumatized and had a total meltdown. I'm not sorry to see them shut down, although I feel for the people who are going to be unemployed.
 
I heard about this on the radio. I'm glad they won't be using animals anymore. BUT... I heard on the radio that, supposedly, attendance at their shows dropped noticeably after they stopped using elephants. I hope this isn't true, because that might send a message that there is still a market for "entertainment" which disregards animals' welfare (let alone their rights).

Circuses just don't appeal to me that much, so I haven't been to one in years. I remember going to one with my family years ago- I couldn't have been older than my early teens, but although at the time I hated the idea of hunting, I was utterly unaware of how the animals performing in a circus might feel. I guess I thought that if dogs and cats like to play with their humans, circus animals would enjoy it too. It didn't occur to me that although dogs and cats have lived with humans since prehistory and gradually adapted, elephants and chimpanzees are essentially still wild animals.
 
Poppy said:
I've been protesting Ringling Brothers for over 10 years. I've seen videos of circus animal training that would break your heart. This is glorious!
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Indeed, it is. This made my heart sing when I heard it on the radio. I have never been a fan of the circus, even when I went as a little kid. It always creeped me out.
 
I'm happy for this news too! I too was never a fan of the circus, even as a small child. I was disturbed by how the animals were chased around and never seemed happy.
 
Email from Karen Dawn of DawnWatch:

The Sunday, February 5, Los Angeles Times includes a nice article on our home state's Circus Vargas, titled, "How Circus Vargas keeps the show on the road; With no animal acts, it relies on human performers who work two or three jobs." The online version of the same article has the title, "This small, animal-free circus in California is doing what Ringling Bros. couldn’t." (Page C1)

The whole article, by Hugo Martin, is worth checking out (clicking on it lets the paper know you are interested in the topic, so please do) but the final lines say it all:

"Del Mar resident Joe Politzer has taken his 5-year-old daughter, Sidni, to both a Ringling Bros. show and a Circus Vargas performance.

"At a recent Circus Vargas show, the girl didn't seem to care that she saw no animals, he said.

"'I'm perfectly happy with the show,' Politzer said, 'and my kid is enchanted by it.'"

The piece is on line at This small, animal-free circus in California is doing what Ringling Bros. couldn’t

Given we have had to stomach some articles of late reminiscing about the good old circus days, a piece like this in one of the nation's largest papers deserves a positive response. Please send letters to letters@latimes.com . Always include your full name, address and phone number when sending a letter to the editor.

Yours and all animals,'
Karen Dawn

The DawnWatch mission is to encourage positive coverage of animal issues in major media. DawnWatch news alerts share animal relevant media and facilitate one-click responses. You can learn more about DawnWatch, and sign up for alerts, at http://www.DawnWatch.com

You can help support DawnWatch at http://DawnWatch.com/support.htm
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I never cared for them the last one of thier circus my parent took me too in 90s was when the United center in Chicago just opened.
I just wanted to go to see the United center.
Then I liked thier flashlight deal thing they had at circus they always passed out.
I only went there for those two things .
I didn't like the animals used back then . I liked to watch the people.
 
I received this following response further to my e mail to Richmond Friends of Animals :

'' Ringling is selling many or most of them to other circuses, so unfortunately their misery continues. ''

This is such heartbreaking news. I hope that they and everyone else who care for animals continue to fight to close down circuses.
 
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