Shriners and circus are a toxic relationship

Times are changing and we the people are educating ourselves. In the old days we didn't really think about the inhumane treatment that came with circus, rodeo or other animal shows. The growing awareness of exotic animals — elephants, camels, tigers, bears, buffalo, etc. traveling from city to city to "entertain" humans has to stop. These animals were not created to travel in semitrucks and be forced to perform. They have been inhumanely treated to learn how to do tricks for you.

Wild animals used in circuses spend the majority of their lives chained or confined in small cages. With all that is now known about the rich and varied lives that wild animals naturally lead, it is apparent that life in traveling shows is nothing but misery for them. 11 states and nearly 200 localities across the U.S. have banned using some wild animals in circuses or the cruel implements used to train them, and more are expected to follow.

We the people need to urge our local El Kahir Shriners in Hiawatha to not promote and benefit from what is clearly animal abuse. Carden International Circus has a long history of USDA violations and that is not acceptable. The local chapter is aware of all of this information and chooses to bury their heads in the sand. We the people are the ones who can make change happen by not supporting a traveling circus or El Kahir Shriners until they end their relationship with Carden International Circus.

Shannon Studt

Mount Vernon