In the name of the animals
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I strongly support the idea that circus animals as well as zoo animals must be treated well, with good food, healthy and clean living spaces, and given love and respect. Zoo animals are expensive to keep, unlike show animals who earn their living and also have to feed their owners' families. What will happen to the trainers and their families who, for generations in many cases, have known nothing else but working with animals? Where will they find work to survive? Who will pay for their children's education? They can't suddenly return to the employment market. Banning their means of earning a living is effectively banning them – honest citizens who deserve a decent life.
The ban is meant to end animal maltreatment. But the only example of possible danger mentioned in the one-page article published in China Daily (Nov. 23, 2010) is "tigers jumping through flaming rings, or bears playing with fire sticks". Should we ban cars from the roads because accidents occur? Should we stop people using electrical appliances because they may cause a fire? Would it be a good idea to lay off all firemen because of the danger inherent in their work? An accident occurred during the recent Asiad; a horse fell, broke its neck and died. Shouldn't we ban equestrian events from sports competitions?
Some animals may be beaten during their training; these things obviously happen. But some kids are abused by their parents and teachers. Why not ban school then? Or better; attack the root of the problem and forbid families to give birth?
Activists want animals to be well treated. Who could disagree? But the thousands of show animals – monkeys, lions, bears, dogs, ducks, etc. – across the country can't be "recycled". Wild animals, once tamed, can't be sent back to the forest. Domestic animals such as dogs can be kept in families, but their owners will soon be unemployed and their animals will no longer have the right to work. Where will they find the money to survive? Zoos have quotas and can't buy up surplus animals. If the ban is implemented, animals will end up abandoned. Or will be killed.
The ban is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard of in China. Instead of a total ban, squads of inspectors should be dispatched to find keepers and trainers who don't respect their animals, and fine or even imprison them. This would have given work to some of the unemployed rather than increasing their number.
Performing animals like their trainers and like the public. They are receptive to applause and cries of admiration. They know when they have done well, and they are proud to go and get their reward of a fish or a cookie.
I sincerely hope that the government will revise its position before it's too late. If the ban can't be retracted completely, it should be modified at least. Maybe the lovely, clever and talented animals will be given a chance to survive, and the public will still have a chance to admire them. I would not like to see our century tainted with such a black spot in history.
The author is a freelancer living in Beijing.
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