MSNBC Home
Newsvine Home
MSN Home
  • Conversation Tracker
  • Your Column
  • Replies
  • Friends
Type Comments Since You Last CheckedArticle Source Last Checked Stop Tracking All Clear Tracking All
advertisement

Should circuses be forced to stop using elephants in their acts?

Background reading

  • Activists, circus square off over elephants
    The treatment of circus elephants went on trial in a U.S court Wednesday with animal-rights groups accusing Ringling Bros. of violating the Endangered Species Act when it uses bullhooks and chains to control its performing pachyderms.
advertisement
Ready To Join?

Newsvine is msnbc.com's social-news community where you can discuss stories, publish your own column, and connect with other news lovers.

Results with 76 short comments
Total of 11,054 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

32%
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.
3,533 votes
51.4%
No. Elephants are an essential part of the circus tradition.
5,679 votes
16.7%
No. But circuses need tighter regulations on how they use the animals.
1,842 votes
Display Comments:
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

Yes by all means free the elephants in the Tennessee sanctuary

{"commentId":5184373,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"woodcarverjja"}
  • 4 votes
#1
 - James DiCenzo-Alonzo
 - 8:44 pm EST on Wed Feb 4, 2009
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

Some circuses are animal-free. All need to be. Ringling Brothers is not breeding elephants in order to save the species; it's about money.

{"commentId":5184573,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"janbuckley"}
  • 2 votes
#2
 - JB-846446
 - 8:57 pm EST on Wed Feb 4, 2009
No. Elephants are an essential part of the circus tradition.

The 3 choices are loaded. How about "No because they are treated well"? That's our responsibility -- to treat animals well.

{"commentId":5185317,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"scottjtepper"}
  • 4 votes
#3
 - SJTepper
 - 9:44 pm EST on Wed Feb 4, 2009
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

It's just not natural--abusing animals to force them to entertain us. Elephants should be viewed in the wild.

{"commentId":5186102,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"TiredOfHaters"}
  • 3 votes
#4
 - TiredOfHaters
 - 10:39 pm EST on Wed Feb 4, 2009
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

Only when we start treating all living things as we wish to be treated can we move on as a humanity.

{"commentId":5186304,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"wolfgangflow"}
  • 4 votes
#5
 - Wolfgang Bloom
 - 10:54 pm EST on Wed Feb 4, 2009
No. Elephants are an essential part of the circus tradition.

Elephants live a better life in the circus than they do in the wild.

{"commentId":5186363,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"martygreene"}
  • 8 votes
#6
 - Marty-360326
 - 10:58 pm EST on Wed Feb 4, 2009
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

With the exception of elephants raised in zoos,all others should be left to live in peace in the wild.Strict protective laws are needed too

{"commentId":5186839,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"cahaberl"}
  • 1 vote
#7
 - Carl-436946
 - 11:35 pm EST on Wed Feb 4, 2009
No. Elephants are an essential part of the circus tradition.

Having dealt with both the circus and the so-called animal rights "activists", I will side with the circus.

{"commentId":5187489,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"sheldon493"}
  • 4 votes
#8
 - concerned in Central FL
 - 12:41 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

Elephants are highly intelligent and sensitive creatures. Shouldn't we be also?

{"commentId":5188392,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"NWScot"}
  • 3 votes
#9
 - NWScot
 - 3:28 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

I have never taken my children to a circus as I feel strongly that the life these poor animals live is inhumane. Shame on greedy mankind.

{"commentId":5188816,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"sk-carrie"}
  • 2 votes
#10
 - Carrie-865125
 - 6:12 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

Its true elephants are part of the tradition but that is no reason to continue using them. Lets show some compassion for a change

{"commentId":5189291,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"greggmoses"}
  • 2 votes
#11
 - gregg m
 - 7:45 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

We will get what we deserve. Sadly we will probably take most of the planet with us.

{"commentId":5189358,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"billyboyjennings"}
  • 1 vote
#12
 - Locutus
 - 7:53 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
No. Elephants are an essential part of the circus tradition.

here we go again. a bunch of animal activists screaming about something they dont like. just remember when you donate money to these groups

{"commentId":5189618,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"bill-62"}
  • 2 votes
#13
 - guillaume 1637
 - 8:17 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
No. But circuses need tighter regulations on how they use the animals.

I don't believe in abuse of animals. I haven't returned to the circus since seeing the whips. It was too sad :(

{"commentId":5189626,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"DoubtingToni"}
  • 1 vote
#14
 - DoubtingToni
 - 8:18 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
No. Elephants are an essential part of the circus tradition.

These same people complaining about the treatment of elephants, will violently protect their RIGHT to murder an unborn child.

{"commentId":5189731,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"kirk-6"}
  • 2 votes
#15
 - Kirk-790853
 - 8:26 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

Yes, and also big cats and other animals. They can become crazy from being confined. Not much of a life for them. Cruel.

{"commentId":5190109,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"scrabble21"}
  • 4 votes
#16
 - Karl K.
 - 8:54 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
No. Elephants are an essential part of the circus tradition.

Please give me a break, these elephants are being taken care of by the Feld family better than if they were in their wild enviorment.

{"commentId":5190319,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"poppop1"}
  • 5 votes
#17
 - graycliff
 - 9:08 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
No. Elephants are an essential part of the circus tradition.

It's to bad allot of the activists Dogs aren't treated as well as Circus Elephants I know they leave them locked in a room all day.

{"commentId":5191509,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"elvinbale"}
  • 2 votes
#18
 - Elvin-865441
 - 10:15 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
No. Elephants are an essential part of the circus tradition.

RB has long been involved in conservation efforts and cares for all their animals well. May not be true for all circuses but is for RB.

{"commentId":5191750,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"tlcatlett"}
  • 4 votes
#19
 - Linda-451803
 - 10:27 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
No. Elephants are an essential part of the circus tradition.

Of course elephants should be treated with the same kindness one would expect to be given a family pet. And yet we're compelled to insure t

{"commentId":5192033,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"Gadgetguy"}
  • 1 vote
#20
 - Gadgetman
 - 10:43 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
No. Elephants are an essential part of the circus tradition.

Performing animals are treated by their human family so much better than they would be treated by a poacher in the wild.

{"commentId":5192317,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"pryll"}
  • 2 votes
#21
 - FL Fan
 - 10:56 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

Not elephants nor any other species should be used for our entertainment. Let's get over our selfish selves. The whiners are in denial.

{"commentId":5192394,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"NCHillary2Obama"}
  • 4 votes
#22
 - NCHillary2Obama
 - 11:01 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

It's all about greed. Stop the greed, animals are not for entertainment purposes.
The abuse is clear. Elephants don't belong as captives.

{"commentId":5192579,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"plovato4218"}
  • 3 votes
#23
 - canyon-856365
 - 11:10 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
No. But circuses need tighter regulations on how they use the animals.

I hear from protesters against training collars for dogs. I've gotten death threats for using harmless tools. No pass, elephants can stay

{"commentId":5193548,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"wyld-ferret"}
  • 2 votes
#24
 - Kittycat
 - 11:53 am EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009
Yes. Elephants are harmed physically and emotionally by performing.

Not elephants, nor any other species, are ours to use for entertainment. Humans must get over our selfish selves. The whiners are in denial

{"commentId":5194673,"threadId":"491337","contentId":"2396172","authorDomain":"earthtones"}
  • 3 votes
#25
 - earthtones
 - 12:40 pm EST on Thu Feb 5, 2009