Pros and Cons

Pros

• Marine mammals often die prematurely in marine parks.
  
• Many marine animals die because of stress of transfer or swallowing objects that humans have dropped in the water.
  
• Circus animals are often whipped and beaten to get them to learn their tricks.
  
• Sharp bull hooks, whips, and electric prods are regularly used on elephants in the circus.
  
• Elephant calves are forced away from their mothers at unnaturally young ages.
  
• While premier zoos may take care of their animals, when the animals grow old, they are sent to "roadside" zoos where treatment is awful.
  
• Thoroughbred racehorses often break legs from a race and are euthanized.
  

---

Cons

• Zoos take care of their animals and many work to keep endangered species alive.
  
• The Barnum & Bailey Circus has a Center for Elephant Conservation.
  
• Zoos, Circuses, and Marine Parks play a vital part in informing the public about conservation efforts and inspire many to base their occupations around helping animals.
  
• Zoos, Circuses, and Marine Parks claim they take the best care of their animals and have only their best interests in mind.
  

My Position

I am writing my paper for the Pro side of "Should animals in entertainment constitute animal cruelty?" There is just so much evidence that proves how great the suffering of these animals that the argument supporting animals in entertainment is very weak. I have a great love for all animals and it's sad to see them in such conditions. Animals belong in the wild, not in cages.

General Overview

Many know about the cruelty behind the vicious entertainment of dog fighting. Some also believe that horses and greyhound racing are bad for its animal participants. But most don't know that evidence has been popping up showing barbaric treatment of animals in seemingly family-friendly operations. Marine park records have also shown premature deaths of their mammals and circuses have shown animals with scar markings on their faces and bodies. Some are even showing signs of mental scarring with odd psychological behavior.

However, even though evidence keeps showing up, the issue still passes through without much acknowledgment. Big business circus, zoos, and marine parks have enough money to keep these issues rather hushed up. Some corporations are also regular donors of animal welfare groups and might even have even founded some of these groups on their own. Thus, the general population sees these big companies as beneficial and kind to their animals. But maybe this is just a cover up for the awful treatment going on backstage. Between the dog fighting and circuses, should animals just be entirely banned from entertainment? Does keeping the animals for our amusement constitute animal cruelty?