PETA activists are cracking the whip on Springfield-based Merriam-Webster, demanding that the definition of “circus” be rewritten to label the big top as cruel to “captive” animal performers.
The dictionary currently defines a circus as “an arena often covered by a tent and used for variety shows, usually including feats of physical skill, wild animal acts, and performances by clowns.”
But People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - known for caging naked women to protest the wearing of fur and protesting the living conditions of pet store iguanas - wants a new entry.
PETA’s proposal defines a circus as a “spectacle that relies on captive animals” who are “forced to perform tricks under the constant threat of punishment.” It also wants the definition to say that “modern circuses include only willing human performers.”
The dictionary publishing company couldn’t be reached last night, but, in a letter to Merriam-Webster provided to the Herald, PETA points out that “whips, chains, muzzles, andbullhooks are the standard tools used to train and constantly control animals used in circuses.”
“The sight of these weapons makes the animals perform out of sheer terror,” the letter states.
The letter also refers to undercover investigations that have revealed squalid conditions for circus animals as well as animals being mercilessly beaten by trainers. PETA says attendance is down at traditional shows like Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus while crowds at human-based performances like Cirque DuSoleil are at an all-time high. A Ringling spokesman did not return a call.
Circus: any event that features Sheehan, Sharpton, naked hippies, paper mache’ puppets, Congressional Democrats................
...female bulls.......
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