Circus Protesters

We are really excited to go see Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus presents Dragons in a couple weeks!  The one part of going to the circus that I do not enjoy is the protesters.  I know they are within their rights to picket outside the venue.  However I do not like that they try and push their propaganda on children in the form of coloring books.  I do get that animal cruelty is a big deal and I know that there are circuses and zoos throughout the world that treat their animals horribly.  The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, CO has rescued many of these animals throughout the years.  They are an amazing organization.  If you do not know about them I suggest you check out their website.  I think it is important to be informed about these things and to realize the reality of it.

I personally do not believe that Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey mistreat their animals.  Last year I paid close attention to how the whips and hooks were being used.  Never did the whips touch the animals.  The hooks used with the elephants never grabbed the animals, they would touch their legs every now and then with the side of the hook, but that was it.  These animals are their livelihood, they would not be smart to mistreat them.  If you attend one of the performance times you can arrive early and tour the animal enclosure.  You can see for yourself what their living conditions are like on the road.  Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey have large conservation centers for elephants and big cats.  They are doing some great work at these centers.

http://www.elephantcenter.com/

At the end of the day there is nothing to be done about the protesters.  We will be talking to our kids about the fact that they will be there.  About the fact that they should not ever take things from people they do not know without their parents permission.  We will also be talking about why the protesters are there, about the fact that there are places that mistreat their animals.  We will tell our kids to watch how the animals here are treated so they can decide for themselves what they think.  The protesters become a learning experience at the end of the day.  So I suppose I should not dislike them as they are giving me a reason to talk to my children about this important subject.  If you plan on taking your child(ren) to see the Dragons show, make sure to talk to them about this subject before you go.