Accompanied by one dozen activists, including one activist in elephant costume and shackles and holding a sign that reads, Be an Elefriend: Say No to Animal Circus, members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and People for Animals Amritsar held protest outside the Great Apollo Circus on Tuesday.
Protesters said elephants and other animals forced to perform in circus are routinely abused and that the use of any animal in circus should be banned. Most of the protesters were young girls and school going children. The PETA activist from Mumbai, Grishma Myatra who was leading the protest, said “Animals in circus were routinely chained, beaten and denied everything that is important to them — all for a lifetime of cheap tricks”, says PETA India campaigner.
“The PETA wants to remind the parents that if their kids love animals, the last place that they should take them to is the Great Apollo Circus or any other circus that uses animals.” The PETA recently completed an extensive investigation of 16 circus organisations across India. It revealed that elephants and other animals are subjected to chronic confinement, physical abuse and psychological torment. Prods and ankuses, which are heavy rods with a sharp steel hook at one end, are routinely used to inflict pain on elephants and beat them into submission.
Animals are forced to perform confusing, unnatural tricks not because they want to but out of fear of violent punishment. When they’re not being forced to perform, elephants are kept chained and can barely take a step in any direction, said Grishma Myatra. The PETA has urged the Punjab Government to ban the use of animals in circuses in the State.