Animal Advocates Watchdog
An American travelling circus troupe with a long history of animal rights violations is being criticized by B.C. animal lovers on the eve of its multi-stop tour through the Okanagan.
Opposition to the Jordan World Circus, billed as one of North America’s premier acts, has been particularly strong in Penticton, where residents have torn down signs ahead of the Aug. 1 show.
At the heart of the debate is the circus’s use of exotic animals, such as bears, lions and tigers, and the heavy-handed methods trainers are suspected of using, residents say.
Animal acts expected to be on display during the two Penticton shows include bandana-wearing brown bears who jump through fire, as well as a demonstration involving tigers and lions.
“The animals are not trained with kindness,” said Penticton resident Jill Beaver, owner of Dragon’s Den art shop. “You can’t go [to these shows] and pretend the animals are enjoying themselves.”
The store owner and self-admitted animal lover said she tore down as many signs as she could find advertising the shows — and even ripped up two free tickets which had been mailed to her shop.
She said she’s not alone in her criticism. Letters to the editor have filled the local newspapers, and there’s been talk of holding a protest of sorts outside the centre where the shows will be held.
One letter writer said it was time that “dated” animal circuses were barred from performing in B.C.
Several B.C. municipalities, such as Salmon Arm, have bylaws which restrict the use of wild animals in performances. No such bylaws exist in Penticton.
“Using animals for entertainment is not only dated but cruel,” read the letter. “Animals used in circuses live a dismal life of domination, confinement and violent training.”
According to People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Jordan World Circus no longer has an exhibitor’s license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and leases its animals from outside companies.
That means the circus is no longer subject to citations under its name, according to PETA officials. During the years it was licensed, PETA said, the circus failed several times to meet federal standards under the Animal Welfare Act.
Offences over a 14-year period included failure to provide proper veterinary care, failure to provide adequate enclosures, failure to provide nutritious food and clean water and failure to provide sufficient exercise.
One of the cases involved the improper treatment of a tiger suffering from a fractured leg. Another involved the escape of a 9,000-pound elephant in a busy downtown area.
Lorie Chortyk, spokesperson for the B.C. SPCA, said her group is opposed to the circus. She said animal safety officers will be on hand conducting spot checks at the various Okanagan shows as resources allow.
“There are a lot of animal-welfare issues associated with these events,” she said. “We understand there are people who will disagree. But we are a voice for the animals and we feel people really need to think though their decisions to attend these events.”
Representatives from the Jordan World Circus said in an email that the company had nothing but good feedback “up until now.” There have been no cancellations, they added.
The Jordan circus will also perform in Hope, Merritt, Salmon Arm and Vernon. Animals will not be used in the Salmon Arm performances.
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2009 file photo of tigers owned by the Jordan Circus.
