End this Russian circus of horrors
I was appalled, angry and upset to read your item about the animals, including tigers and lions, being forced to perform at a circus in Russia (Mirror, July 30).
Thank you, Daily Mirror, once again, for highlighting such atrocities against innocent creatures.
It is all very well for a staff member to say the animals are well fed and cared for, but they should not be in that environment in the first place.
When are we going to see an end to animals being treated in this way throughout the world? I only hope one of the amazing animal rescue organisations can help to get them away from that hellish place. Debbie Richens, South London
I have fought for animal rights for as long as I can remember – when are people going to realise that we do not have the right to treat another species as inferior to us? We are not bigger, cleverer or superior to any other species on this planet. How is it some people think it is acceptable to cage these animals and make them perform for our “entertainment”? Animal circuses should be banned everywhere, end of. Angie Jayne Harper Coseley, West Mids
Reading about the plight of the animals in the Russian circus made me weep. They are forced to perform under the threat of a whip. What kind of people pay to witness such atrocities? The Mirror has always been a voice against animal cruelty for creatures that have no voice, so well done for shining the spotlight on this circus of horrors. Jeanette Stenning Hayling Island, Hants
I was sickened to read your report about the treatment of the beautiful wild animals in the Russian circus. How anyone could find this entertaining defies belief.
Why aren’t circuses that exploit animals banned the world over? Well done to Animal Defenders International and the Mirror for highlighting this issue. I just hope something can be done to end this mistreatment of these poor animals. M McLuckie, Nottingham
While not wishing to condone the mistreatment of animals, I do wish people would put as much effort and energy into helping their fellow human beings as they do animals.
It seems to me that some folks have more compassion for suffering animals than they do for people living in poverty, or those fleeing war and torture.
The West’s response to the refugee crisis has been pathetic. People should get their priorities right. Erica Morgan, Brighton
The Russian circus owners should be ashamed of themselves. If a human being was subjected to this appalling treatment there would be an outcry – it should be the same for animals. And sadly circuses that exploit animals give the good circuses a bad name. Janet Davies Falmouth, Cornwall
As long as stupid people continue to pay to watch these evil circuses, then animals will suffer. Things like this belong in the Middle Ages. People must stop buying into this horror. Marie Thwaites St Helens Merseyside