Overworked Tiger Lashes Out at Circus Trainer—Here’s Why We’re Not Surprised
A tiger used for circus performances pounced on a circus trainer during a show in China. The animal was then repeatedly beaten with a stick by another trainer as punishment.
After 3 shows daily for 10 days, an angry, exhausted tiger attacks its trainer at a circus show in #China https://t.co/Yx2GuknJdd pic.twitter.com/PTrd9EjVU2
— SCMP News (@SCMP_News) August 25, 2017
According to sources, the tiger was forced to perform three times a day for 10 days in a row before the attack and was exhausted. When tigers and other animals used in circuses are not performing or being trained, they’re forced to live inside small, filthy, barren cages and are transported from show to show. Can you blame them for attacking a trainer?
PETA has asked authorities to investigate, but people who care about animals or the safety of their children or themselves should never go to a circus with tigers. Animal circuses are about making money, not helping animals or protecting circus workers, so it’s no wonder that such an attack occurred. It’s not the first time that we’ve heard alarming news about these circuses—wild animals don’t understand or want to perform meaningless and often painful tricks, but they must do so over and over again or risk being beaten or worse.
PETA’s investigations have documented that their spirits are broken in order to make them obey human commands; that they’re confined to cramped, barren wire cages when not performing; and that they’re exhibited in crowded, noisy, and unnatural environments. Lifelong stress often drives animals in circuses to lash out and become dangerous to both trainers and visitors.
What You Can Do
Refuse to attend animal circuses, whether at home or while traveling in China or elsewhere around the world. Take your friends and family to see only animal-free circuses.
Remember: This abuse is not unique to China. Any circus that uses animals inevitably subjects them to terrifying and cruel training methods as well as barren, cramped living conditions.
