The Inspector General Weighs In
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus wraps up its run in Rosemont tonight but it’s not exactly leaving town, it’s just moving to the big arena on the West Side where it will remain until November 25th.
“Shaolin Kung Fu Warriors, charging Cossack riders, magnificent Asian elephants and fierce lions and tigers are all part of the two-and-a-half-hour spectacle leading up to the frenzied Globe of Steel finale and an appearance by the elusive golden fire-breathing dragon,” Philip Potempa writes for the Northwest Indiana Times.
It’s not all fun and games, though. The city’s inspector general found the city’s regulations regarding treatment of circus animals within its borders severely lacking.
“Following a series of complaints regarding the welfare of circus animals visiting Chicago and whether the City had adequate licensing and enforcement provisions in place for animal exhibitors, the IGO reviewed the City’s regulation of animal exhibitors,” the office wrote in the press release for a report released late last month.
“We learned that there was a statutory intent to ensure baseline standards are in place for public and animal health and safety relating to animal exhibitions – circuses in particular,” said Inspector General Joe Ferguson. “However, we found that due to multiple gaps and disconnects in the local, state, and federal regulatory structure, intent alone was not enough to protect the animals, their handlers, or the general public. By focusing on the City’s responsibilities, we hope our work furthers the City’s goal of protecting everyone involved, and ensure each reaps the benefits of clear compliance and effective enforcement.
Here’s PETA’s report on the IG’s report.
And here are some videos from the Rosemont leg of the tour, uploaded to YouTube by raymofuss.
1. The Elephant March.
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2. Lions and Tigers.
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3. Motorcycle Ball.
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4. Acrobats.
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See also: Our 2010 post The Circus Came To Town.
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Comments welcome.
Posted on November 13, 2012