We must stop animals being tortured for entertainment

In the past month, across the globe, shocking footage of performing animals has surfaced. Closer looks at how we can end this barbaric cruelty

Last week, PETA L released footage of a monkey running up to bystanders and begging for money in Indonesia. Shockingly, not only was the animal chained, but also dressed up in a child’s mask, blonde wig and clothing.

And the tortured monkey wasn’t the only animal to hit headlines for its horrific treatment. Heartbreaking pictures were also released of the extreme torture that elephants in India have to endure to train for tourist rides and selfies, as an investigation showed how the animals are beaten, starved and caged into complete submission.

And, in April, footage emerged of a grizzly bear handing a football to a referee ahead of a match in Russia. The bear, named Tim, was forced to stand on his hind legs on the sidelines and clap repeatedly before the game between Mashuk-kmv and Angusht.

IMPRISONED

Elisa Allen, the director of PETA, says, “It’s not acceptable to ridicule these animals. Whether used on TV or exploited as sports mascots, there is nothing entertaining about seeing them imprisoned and forced to perform in ways that may result in injuries or even death. In order to make animals do these stunts, trainers often beat, torment and torture them. For example, trainers have been known to chain bear cubs by their necks and tether them to walls – sometimes for hours on end – which forces them to remain upright.”

SELF-MUTILATION

And it’s not just physical damage the bears are forced to endure. Elisa explains, “Animals are left psychologically traumatised by this abuse. When they’re not in front of a crowd, they’re commonly chained or kept in tiny, cramped cages, where they’ll pace back and forth, mutilate themselves and chew at the bars out of frustration. Being made to perform like this goes against everything that is natural to them.”

While progress is being made to stop animals being used for performance, Elisa says more still needs to be done. She explains, “The fate of animals used by the entertainment industry is often dire. Once they reach maturity and become too difficult to control, some animals are dumped at roadside zoos, where they may languish for years.

“And although circuses are beginning to close down, the animals used are often sold to exhibitors, abandoned or killed – with their body parts being sold on the black market. It’s shameful that such sensitive and intelligent animals should be reduced to living props.”

❛ ANIMALS ARE LEFT PSYCHOLOGICALLY TRAUMATISED BY THIS ABUSE ❜