It's hard to forget black bears riding around on little bikes, dogs doing tricks, and big cats jumping through hoops of fire.
But the main event was always the elephants. The sound of their giant feet pounding the ground entering the ring was almost deafening.
But now, I feel these majestic, gentle animals do not belong in a circus. Nor do the other wild animals.
Elephants are used to walking 25 to 30 miles every day. They are herd animals with a social structure that should not be changed.
When their legs are bound by chains, they will sway back and forth constantly, a symptom of psychological distress.
Elephants aren't supposed to stand on their heads or rear up on their back legs. Bears aren't supposed to ride bikes, and lions and tigers aren't supposed to jump through hoops of fire. This might be fun to see, but the animals are doing it out of fear of their trainers.
Make no mistake; teaching circus animals to do tricks comes with pain. Whips are used for training the tigers and lions. Elephants are beaten and poked with sharp objects. Muzzles and tight collars and other tactics are used on the bears. It's the only way a trainer can maintain dominance.
Yes, we all love a circus, but we must realize that these wonderful animals are paying a high price for our entertainment.
I applaud the efforts of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Animal Welfare Institute to stop the use of elephants in circuses. All circus animals should be free.
Mary Beth Hall
Stafford