Vivian Jasinski, Manville
I presume that our newspaper will receive many letters from people who attended the Cole Bros. Circus this week. I attended also. And I’ll begin my letter by saying that when it ended, I said “this was the best circus I’ve ever seen!”
But all the while I was saying that, my heart was going out to those precious animals that are kept chained to the trailers and in the hot cages. Each day, I would pass the elephants and tigers as I drove in and out of the area. I was as fascinated as everyone else to see these beautiful creatures perform for us. But deep inside, I was feeling pity for them because they are not meant to be in captivity, feeling the hooks and prodding that is necessary to make them perform those unnatural acts.
I won’t go into other painful experiences that these animals experience because if anyone is truly interested and if you love animals, you can investigate this online. I’ve always known what these animals endure but when the circus comes to town, we forget all that and we go to watch but I’ve promised myself no more! Not because it’s the Cole Bros. Circus, but any circus.
And lest you think otherwise “Ladies and Gentlemen, and Children of All Ages” I’m not just an animal lover. I love people of all ages; especially the little children who were overjoyed to see these beautiful animals. But I think we also need to educate them in the love and care of animals.
I’m not now, and never will be, a member of PETA because I’m not in agreement with all their ideas. However, if you would please take the time to investigate the way these animals are treated, I think you’ll find it sickening and hopefully, we won’t attend circuses with these amazing jungle creatures ever again.
The Big Apple Circus is ideal for children. I don’t wish to promote any particular form of entertainment here but I wish everyone could see the frustration in those elephants as they shuffle back and forth, and the tigers as they take their few steps allowed in the cages. It’s not what God intended.
I know we are loving, caring, intelligent people in this town but we all “went to the circus.” Maybe we could pledge to ourselves that we won’t support this form of “entertainment” ever again.
I feel embarrassed that, being an animal lover, I went with my grandchildren to this circus. I admit that I clapped as the animals performed, all the while forgetting the pain and suffering that they endure while waiting to take their turn under the tent.
I may come under fire for writing this letter, but as the old saying goes “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” So, I stand for people and animals.
Vivian Jasinski
Manville

