Demand Fair Treatment for Show Bears
- by: Lynn Hamilton
- recipient: United States Department of Agriculture
Bears were born to run through the woods, fish, and forage. But in Salt Lake City, a number of bears have been put on display and forced to perform for the "education" of onlookers. The Utah Animal Rights Coalition worries that these bears are being abused and that their treatment violates the Animal Welfare Act. The bears are routinely put in chains and required to perform tricks like standing on chairs.
Please join me in asking the United States Department of Agriculture to investigate allegations of cruelty in the Great Bear Show of Salt Lake City and remove bears to an appropriate refuge if they are being mistreated.
Dear USDA:
I was really surprised to learn that bears in the so-called "Great Bears Show" are put in chains and forced to perform tricks. This practice is far too much like medieval bear baiting which, I believe we all agree, was barbaric. Bears are wild animals. As such, it is highly unnatural for them to spend much of their time in cages, in chains, and performing for humans. There is some concern that the treatment of these animals violates the Animal Welfare Act. Please investigate whether this is the case. If it is, you will need to remove the bears from this show and place them in an appropriate natural refuge.
