Costa Rica: Animal care

nwi.com: Animal care requires balancing act: "Circuses conjure up images of clowns, animals and the trapeze for some. But for others, life under the big top means bullhooks, chains and cages.

The Carson & Barnes Circus comes to town Monday in Steger. As a former humane society staff member, I have to admit that I've had the notion that circuses featuring animals are bad. So when the media kit arrived on my desk to promote this circus in my coverage area, I thought, 'what about the animals?'

But the first item I saw in the media kit was a publication explaining the care the circus takes with its animals. After reading it, I realized I had formed an opinion about circuses without examining both sides. I wanted to know more.

There are two sides to every story. If you start researching circus animals, you'll realize what this means.

Viewpoint A: The Carson & Barnes Circus publication says no documented case of abuse ever has been uncovered with regard to its circus. It says research has shown circus elephants to be less stressed, more peaceful and livelier than those in zoos. Circuses have a first amendment right to perform with animals, as an artistic expression. The public has the right to choose to patronize the performances. The animals represent a huge and emotional financial investment, and the family business o"

"PETA says that Sweden, Austria, Costa Rica, India, Finland and Singapore have all banned or restricted the use of animals in entertainment and that the United States should do the same."

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