The Shrine Circus in Pittsburgh this year featured live performing elephants, tigers, pigs and other animals. During intermission, children could ride ponies, elephants and camels – but unfortunately, on September 16, that's when things went horribly wrong.
When a child reportedly threw a shovel at one of the camels, the frightened animal bucked and bolted, running across the arena floor as its riders clung to its hump. One adult and six children, one of whom suffered a fractured arm, were injured.
The Shrine Circus claims it takes "great pride in the expert care and welfare of our wonderful performing animals," but animal welfare groups say the circus subcontracts their animals from companies with a long history of animal abuse and public safety violations.
And as that scary camel incident demonstrates, it is dangerous and cruel to exploit animals for the purpose of human entertainment.
Please sign and share this petition urging Shriners International to stop using live animals in its circuses.
