Letters to the Editor

Letter of the day: Circus life is no life for any animal

Published: March 14, 2007

As the director of the Wildcat Sanctuary, I support banning animal acts in circuses.

At our big-cat sanctuary, we house several "retired" exhibit cats that had nowhere to go once they were too old to breed or perform. We also house several cats that lashed out and hurt their trainer or a member of the public when they were forced to perform or be on display. Other sanctuaries around the country now house many big cats and elephants from circuses.

And what is the reward for these animals? Getting dumped when they no longer choose to perform or draw in the dollars. The lucky ones find sanctuary, but many others do not.

Cirque du Soleil has proven that there are forms of entertainment that bring in profit without posing a humane issue or public safety threat.


TAMMY QUIST, SANDSTONE, MINN.

March 16, 2007

Zoo better for kids

I'm thrilled to read Minneapolis is considering
banning circus animals. Regardless of claims of humane
treatment, these animals spend their lives chained,
caged and defeated, just to perform tricks for our
children. Even the most hardened person must recognize
a lion is not meant to be chained, and an elephant is
too gentle to be beaten for our amusement.
If you want your kids to see majestic animals, take
them to the zoo. There, they can see them being
treated with dignity, a far better lesson for our kids
to learn.

GLORIA ZAIGER, ST. PAUL



Captivity is inhumane

When will humankind realize that wild animals belong
in the wild, and not should not be held captive for
entertainment or amusement? We are diminished as human
beings if we look the other way when an animal or a
human being is suffering.
Please take a moment and think twice about how animals
and people are used/abused before paying money to see
entertainment or buying clothes and makeup, or taking
a bite of your food.

SUSAN SPENCE, MINNEAPOLIS