To the editor:

Some important points need to be made regarding the Nov. 16 article on banning exotic animal acts.

First is public safety. Since 1990, 57 people have been killed and more than 120 seriously injured by captive elephants. Believing these circus handlers have these wild animals under control is a very dangerous illusion. Remember “Tyke,” a Ringling Bros. elephant who killed his trainer and hurt several people during a rampage in Hawaii? And just recently the Siegfried and Roy tiger incident? Need I say more?

Second is cruelty. I won’t go into a lot of details regarding this issue. The undercover footage and weapons used on these animals speak louder than words, and louder than any claims of love these handlers say they have for their animals. If they train their animals with love and positive reinforcement, why carry a bull hook? Where are the peanuts? Not to worry though, all circuses, even your most well-respected ones, will always carry their weapons of “love” with them.

I too, attended circuses as a child and have fond memories like Commissioner Charles Johnson mentioned. But once I learned of the abuse, I wanted nothing more to do with it. If we want to educate children about wild animals, turn to Animal Planet. There, you will find these animals behaving naturally in their own environment. A circus with exotic animals is not a natural environment for them, and these circuses are not educational. All they are is a glimpse into the sad life of a pathetic, broken-spirited animal.

Ann Wilson,

Lawrence