Jorja Fox Urges Austin to Ban Circuses with Animals

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Jorja Fox joined Animal Defenders International, recently, in urging Texans to boycott circuses with animal performers, and calling on the Austin, Texas city council to ban all such shows.

The group presented video footage of elephants being whipped and hit with metal sticks. They also presented their own report, stating that such abuse of animals is practically unavoidable in a travelling circus show. Jan Creamer, president of Animal Defenders International’s U.S. division, said that worker fatigue and the reality of getting large animals and natural predators to perform regularly makes it difficult to ensure that the animals won’t be harmed or mistreated.

Jorja Fox spoke with City Council Member Lee Leffingwell. She said of the animals, “These animals are majestic, wild, large mammals. They’re some of the great beasts of the world.”

Even though the group found no specific evidence of abuse within Texas, Creamer stated that they noticed several signs of animal suffering: pacing, head-bobbing, and aggression toward spectators and animal trainers.

For more information, please check out the Animal Defenders International.

Source: Austin-American Statesman.