To the editor:

On Sept. 10, the Ringling Bros. circus will be making an appearance at Kemper Arena. Those thinking about seeing the “greatest show on earth” should also consider the brutal and relentless torture that Ringling Bros. animals endure to give the show such a title.

While animal rights organizations provide a wealth of information against Ringling Bros., the circus’ own employees are also coming forward. Tom Rider, a former barn hand for Ringling, described its methods as an “absolute, systemic, daily abuse of elephants.”

More recently, Frank Hagan was fired from the Ringling Circus after his complaints against its treatment of caged lions. Claiming that the circus’ negligent treatment caused the death of a 2-year old lion, Hagan filed an affidavit against the circus last July. Hagan also claimed that Ringling Bros. purposely kept him away from USDA investigators and told him to keep quiet about the entire incident.

These cover-up methods and frequent documentation of abuse imply a systemic problem. This has to be the case when every major American circus has been found guilty of similar injustices. Most have violated some element of the Animal Welfare Act, thus causing USDA investigations and even the confiscation of animals from handlers.

Such cases of animal mistreatment stem from the prevalent belief that animals were born into this world entirely disposable for our amusement and exploitation. Animals in circuses do not suffer because of isolated instances of cruelty; they suffer due to a problem rooted in our nature toward them.

Patrick Tyrrell,

Lawrence