Did you ever wonder what an animal has to say? Only if we could communicate with animals and hear all the abuse it goes through maybe our thoughts would reflect on Animal Neglect. Animal neglect is cruel; not only does it harm innocent animals in captivity but also, it’s denies animals to live life fully. In todays society many human right activists want fair and equal rights for their own being, however when it comes down to the animals wellbeing many are unaware about how they get treated. Animals have little rights in the world but there are many bills out there to trying to protect the animals life and its life in our future.
Many people are trying to standup for the innocent animals that are locked up in cages, overbred and even forced to perform. Only if more of the population knew how animals were treated there would be less worrying about themselves and more on the animals that don’t have a word to say. Zoo’s are an attraction for many each year, but not enjoyed by the animals behind the steel bars and glass windows. Would being locked in a cage and have visitors looking in while pounding the glass and rumbling the bars be a day worth enjoying? Of course, not.
These actions are what the animals facial and body expressions reveal to visitors taking pictures. The zoo’s guests, being excited to be there and admiring the animals, cannot place themselves on the other side. Visitors sees only how everything appears to be perfect for their viewing pleasure. Simply stated, animals should not be locked in cages. For instance, elephants that are captive do not get to move freely and are limited to space needed for their adventuring (6). The limited space effects the elephants at the L. A. Zoo (6).
Elephants in the wild walk approximately 30 miles a day, but in captivity they roam in a three acre lot (6). With this problem in place the elephant can be exposed to unnecessary medical injuries such as foot problems; which happens to be linked to arthritis (6). Another negative aspect about the harsh caging would include the winter season. This bitter cold weather requires elephants to be kept inside stables, similar to horse stables (6). Zoos are finally realizing their need to care for these animals are way from what they can manage (6).
Cage issues do not just apply to elephants, but many other animals as well due to their similar situation. For example, research dealing with polar bears being locked up exhibits more unusual actions and a higher rate in infant mortality (9). This goes to show negative aspects of locking up animals. Now, how would it feel to be bossed around by workers and put in harms way with little care given. That’s is why animals should be the zoo’s number one priority. Remember Sea World is making news with the critical responses from the documentary Blackfish (10).
Many of the orcas living in the exhibit were abused by the trainers(10). The abuse involved giving the orcas drugs (10). Also, there are many new bills trying to ban the performances of orcas with their trainers. In addition, a zoo in the United States is abusing their aquatic birds habitat for their own use. Many birds that are used to the aquatic lifestyle are forced to live in a very little enclosure (1). The water they live in is the only water they receive (1). The birds use this water to not only swim in, but for drinking purposes as well.
In the past, the pond reached the required safety protocol until the zoo used motor boats which then contaminated the already contaminated water (1). The zoo finally realizing their mistake stopped the motor boats from accessing the pond (1). Another interesting case, would be regarding a Danish zoo puting down an infant giraffe (3). This giraffe was shot and became a meal at the Danish zoo (3). The zoo’s response was ” Marius was put down because he could not be bred (3). ” Protestors think this is not a proper way (3).
Later the zoo fired back with another response this time making the public outraged they stated “It’s all about population management…it caught so much attention because they were… Charismatic, cuddly animals… if it had been a rat or a mouse this wouldn’t be news. ” Not only do zoos put animals in danger, but they put the workers and general public in danger too (3). Zoos are not safe to keep wild animals captive. After in-proper actions and procedures an Oklahoma zoo employee lost an arm from a tiger attack (4). This event shows the dangers of wild animals to those that care for them each day.
Another negative incident happened at a United States Zoo. Twelve people dead because a tiger was roaming freely; which in all honesty this tiger was doing as it would have in the wild (8). Later the tiger was finally cornered after killing an innocent bystanders and was shot and killed (8). With these tragic events, this goes to show that animals are a danger to everyone involved. Upsetting, though, that they are only doing as their instincts tell them. People may say zoos are a safe environment for the animals. In fact, Sea World, who is looking into creating a new whale cage, will offer an environment similar to their own.
This is a great idea, but if only everyone would look into not locking up these massive whales and allowing them the freedom of their own in the waters that created them. Zoos are prisons for our animals that do not deserve this treatment for the pleasure of those that pay to view. Animals should not need to go through this abuse each and every day. Next is the hell animals have to go through at mills. Picture being torn away and transported from family members; while being overcrowded, locked up with very little food. These animals are in crates with no room to move.
These items listed are some of the abuse puppies go through during their time in the mills. Puppy mill employees should not exist. In Tennessee, a truck was caught transporting dogs packed up in little crates (17). Another case included workers chaining up 40 huskies and letting them starve and die while chained to a fence (15). The workers in the mill feed the dogs bug infested food and force them to live in their own waste while packed in a crate (17). What is the main point of even working when at the end of the day they leave them to die.
Also, many of the abused animals do not get veterinary care and the workers ignore their medical needs (17). Puppy mills overproduce; which should not be. Puppy mills should have a policy in place that will not allow them to overproduce. This overproducing causes tax payers to pay a little extra for their local shelter to put down the abundant amount of animals (16). There are unfortunately a ton of puppy mills; which produce over 2 million dogs a year (16). Locally 1,500 animals are put down yearly (16). Not only are puppy mills over producing they abuse many animals that are located in the mill.
Puppy mills are known for their cruel tactics, but should be known for their ability to care for their animals properly. The Montreal puppy mill was busted for their horrible conditioned mills (15). The dogs found were not cared for properly, had irritated skin, and needed medical attention for their respiratory breathing (15). The dogs had no food and water and the humid location did not help their condition (15). To add, many of the dogs located in puppy mills have rarely interacted with positive people; meaning, abuse was always handed to them (14).
Many of the pups that are rescued still show signs of physiological damage (14). Many people may argue that these puppies are of a good breed, but is not always the case. Many buyers secretly get ripped off in the price for the dog (17). Most of the time pet shops pay around $50 a dog, but sell the puppy for upwards of $400. Also, many certificates that come with the dog most of the time lack authenticity (17). Being locked up, crowded, and placed in small cages is the abuse these animals receive. Maybe adopting from a shelter sounds not so bad after all.
To conclude with animal neglect may be the cruelest show on earth and might be coming to a town near by. Being forced to perform tricks in front of people only marks the start of this cruel show. Only if people saw the horrible mistreatment of animals and the abuse they go through behind the scenes of the circus act. Truly, if the guests in attendance knew what the animal go through there would be no animal act in circuses at all. Animals at circuses get little care. To start off, the long tour dates usually take 50 weeks and sometimes the trip can take 60 to 70 hours; which makes the elephants restless (21).
Not only are the elephants chained to one another they are forced to travel that way too (21. ) Also, only to bring up the other animals are locked in small crates and transport to and from city tours crammed in them (19). To add, more on live accounts the animals visually can be seen getting abused to do tricks for the public eye (19). Majority of Animal Rights can believe that circuses do not offer the advanced care for needed for the animals on the road (19). Many cities are fighting back and banning circuses due to the abuse mentioned above.
Circuses should be banned from making Animals perform during show acts. Cities located near Canada and including the United States banned circus animals from performing their acts this year (18). Not yet banned, larger cities still have circuses perform with animals unfortunately (18). But, the Seattle mayor introduced a ban on the performance of live animals (18). However, it is still getting passed through the board (18). Fortunately though circles in Mexico can’t use wild animals due to the congress and the bill that was passed to protect them and their rights (19).
Many argue saying that circuses offer a well being for animals when they retire. In fact, the Ringling Brothers soon to be finishing up the current elephants acts (20). This shocking news was expected in late fall, but now the dates changed to Mid May (20). Unfortunately this always isn’t the case. The Ringling Brothers Circus is a huge preforming tour. They have the money needed for retiring the elephants and can provide them with the cost and care they need. Too add, the circus will be getting new elephants and they will take abuse until they are ready to retire on their own.
Only if the public could see the negative events happening at circuses they would stop going with their families. Open eyes and ears can witness the neglect they go through. Animal neglect happens daily. Even to animals that we don’t expect to see get abused. Animals thought to be safe and protected in zoos, loving and caring puppies, and even down to watch the animal get abused at a show for enjoyment. After this imagine the animals calling for help and nothing is done but looking through class, spending money on them, and even peering down through a seat and watching them perform.
