Some day thinking people will prevail & end circus animal cruelty

To the editor,

Thank you to Louisa Dell'Amico for her May 1 letter concerning cruelty to circus animals. It's very unfortunate that members of the Parks and Recreation Commission and Main Street Initiative chose to disregard cruelty concerns and allow the Kelly Miller circus to perform in Laconia.

Kelly Miller/Carson and Barnes are not the only circuses with animal care problems. In November 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture imposed an unprecedented $270,000. fine against Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus for violations of the Animal Welfare Act, ranging from contaminated food to injured animals being forced to perform.

Several weeks ago, packets of information on circus cruelty were sent to the mayor and members of the Board of Aldermen in Manchester, where Ringing performs annually. The packets included photos taken at the Ringling Center for Elephant Conservation, a copy of the USDA Press Release, and a letter signed by 40 activists urging the Board to consider an ordinance that would prohibit the display of exotic animals for entertainment in Manchester.

The Aldermen threw our concerns in the trash can, speaking figuratively, and they probably thought that would be the end of the discussion. They were wrong. The discussion has just barely begun.

One of the greatest humanitarians in the modern world, Dr. Albert Schweitzer, said that thinking men must oppose all cruel customs, no matter how deeply rooted in tradition and surrounded by a halo. When we have a choice, we must avoid bringing torment and injury into the life of another, even the lowliest creature.

Some day, in Laconia, in Manchester, and all over the world, thinking people will prevail, and the torture of animals for public amusement will be no more.

Jean Slepian

Stoddard