Calling on all circuses to ban animal acts, follow Fun Time Show lead

In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, ringmaster Andre McClain, center, holds his hat to his heart as the national anthem is played during the opening of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Built To Amaze show at Knoxville Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, Tenn. The circus will phase out the show's iconic elephants from its performances by 2018, telling The Associated Press that growing public concern about how the animals are treated led to the decision. Mark A Large AP

On Sept. 1, an announcement was made by Bill Cunningham, a Shriner and owner of Fun Time Shows, Inc. — the largest Shrine circus producer in the United States. He said that in the near future he will stop featuring elephants, tigers, lion, and other wild animals in his shows.

This move means that hundreds of Shrine circuses will soon end the abuse of wild animals that are denied all semblance of a natural life in the circus, animals that are kept chained and caged, and who are electro-shocked and beaten into performing. Extensive videos have documented elephants jabbed with bull hooks among other cruelties, including lack of veterinary care and living in cramped cages.

Mr. Cunningham called on his fellow Shriners to end all wild animal acts. He wants his circuses to be in alignment with standards of today's families, circuses families can be proud to attend. Hopefully other circus producers will follow suit.

Piper Belanger, North Myrtle Beach

This story was originally published September 6, 2015 at 1:40 PM with the headline "Calling on all circuses to ban animal acts, follow Fun Time Show lead."

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