Letter: Support a Pittsfield Ban on Exotic Circus Animals

To the Editor:

I am writing to you as a concerned citizen for the welfare of animals especially the exotic ones that could be used in circuses.

I realize that this puts all of you in a difficult spot trying to please both sides of an issue but I would encourage each one of you and take a step back and really to consider the issues at hand. I am not going to ask for all of you to take a look at gruesome pictures of what happens to these animals when training and I am not going to give you the details of what happens on the road or before and after shows.

Instead, I am going to ask you to remember back if any of you went to circuses as children or brought your children to them and the magic you saw and acrobats and clowns and people in the cage with the motorcycle that we never knew how it really made the complete circle without the driver getting hurt. Then, of course, the tight rope and hoping that person doesn't fall. It was exciting. Then there were the animals so very beautiful, but then I always wondered how did they know how to do that stuff.

Those mysteries soon faded into harsh realities that would make me realize that a circus isn't a place for animals especially ones that are exotic. They deserve to be free like on a reservation or sanctuary.

We as people wouldn't like to be subjected to the type of treatment that they have to endure just because they can't speak. These animals are children or parents of others herds and packs in some cases. These animals show love and understanding just like we do. They don't deserve to be locked away or chained up to be brought into an arena for everyone to see. Would we like that? Not at all.

They don't ever get to have a chance of living in a natural habitat and watching their children and families grow. Unlike us, they don't get a choice to what their future holds.

We as people would never want to be taken away from our loved ones and families. What would life be like without our free will? Thankfully we don't have to ever know that feeling but, unfortunately, they do. Most will never see their families or their natural habitats again because animals don't get free will. They rely on people to be their voice. To champion their needs especially when they are taken from the lives they knew.

We all love the arts and one of the most beautiful forms of expression is Cirque du Soleil. That is just one but there are many circuses now that don't use animals.

In conclusion, I am hopeful that this committee will support the ban on exotic animals for entertainment purposes. I know that it is something I will support as well as many others will support it. It is the right thing to do. With so much violence going on in our society as a whole and we feel defenseless against it. Why not support something that shows animal lives matter.

Thank you for all of you time.

Tammy Ives
Pittsfield, Mass.

Pittsfield's Ordinance & Rules Committee is considering a new measure banning the performances of exotic circus animals within the city limits. The next meeting is July 26.

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