Elephant dignity

Dear Editor,

Once more, McCook is sponsoring The Carson and Barnes Circus. This is billed as "entertainment" for children. Is cruelty to animals "entertainment"?

Elephants and other wild animals are trained by force. It is standard practice to hit, beat, shock, chain and whip them to make them perform ridiculous and sometimes frightening tricks that they cannot comprehend.

Punishment is commonly in the form of digging a metal bullhook into the sensitive tissue around the ears, feet and mouth. Problem elephants are restrained and shocked with electrical currents or struck repeatedly with blunt objects.

Circuses exhibiting elephants have put profits before the needs of the animals in their care.

As a result, the elephants endure a miserable life. If the only way humans can appreciate the gentleness and spirituality of elephants is by imprisoning and tormenting them, the species is doomed.

Captive elephants deserve a dignified, nurturing environment with the simple pleasures of freedom and friendships.

Readers who would like to learn more about these intelligent, sensitive and playful creatures can visit The Elephant Sanctuary's Web site at www.elephants.com.

USDA Fact Sheet on Carson and Barnes

http://www.circuses.com/pdfs/CarsonBarnes_fact.pdf

Cora Moore

Decatur, Ga.