Animals in Entertainment A study and activity guide for high-school students and their teachers www.hsus.org www.humaneteen.org Animals in Entertainment A study and activity guide for high-school students and their teachers Table of Contents Introduction . .1 Domestic Animals in Entertainment . .4 Animal Fighting . .4 Greyhound Racing . .10 The Iditarod . .14 Horseracing . .16 Carriage Horses . .20 Rodeo . .24 Wildlife in Entertainment . .27 Zoos and Aquariums . .27 Swim-with-the-Dolphin Programs . .32 Circuses . .36 Animals in Media . .41 Resources . .43 © Getty Images Chief Developer..............Jessica Vanase © 2004 NAHEE. Animals in Entertainment is published by the Editor .............................Lesia Winiarskyj National Association for Humane and Environmental Education Reviewers .......................Bill DeRosa (NAHEE), youth education affiliate of The Humane Society of the Richard Farinato United States (HSUS), and Humane Society Press. To receive addi- Naomi Rose tional copies (available for $3 each) or to learn about other mate- Andrew Rowan, Ph.D. rials for high-school students, write to The HSUS Youth Education Eric Sakach Affiliate, 67 Norwich Essex Turnpike, East Haddam, CT 06423- Stephanie Shain Designer.........................Deborah Prater 1736. E-mail: [email protected]. Animals in Entertainment may also be viewed and downloaded at www.humaneteen.org. ISBN 0-941246-33-7 For more information on animals in entertainment and other ani- mal protection issues, write to The HSUS, 2100 L Street, NW, Cover photos: Greyhounds—© Getty Images, Washington, DC 20037, or call (202) 452-1100. Visit The HSUS Lion—© Getty Images, Circus—© H. Schwab on the Web at www.hsus.org. West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of The HSUS’s registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV, 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement by the State. Virginia residents may obtain a copy of The HSUS’s financial statement from the State Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Rich- mond, VA 23209. FLORIDA RESIDENTS MAY OBTAIN A COPY OF THE HSUS’S OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMA- TION FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Maryland residents may obtain a copy of The HSUS’s current financial statement from the Maryland Secretary of State by contacting The HSUS, 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, (202) 452-1100. Printed on recycled paper ed by animal acts for thousands of years. In illions of China, unarmed men once battled dangerous people— animals for sport. In the arenas and amphithe- Mmore than aters of ancient Rome, gladiators fought bears half of all households and lions before cheering crowds. In the U.S., a in this country— lion was brought to Boston, Massachusetts, for share their lives with exhibition as early as 1716, and circuses with companion animals, wild animal acts began forming in the late from hamsters and 1700s. The first American zoo was established horses to dogs and in Central Park in 1864. cats. Countless others take a deep interest in Today, animal entertainment exists in various forms. The underlying reason for the more native wildlife, turn- © Getty Images ing their backyards into urban sanctuaries that obvious provide habitats for songbirds, squirrels, rab- types of bits, and raccoons. animal entertain- Our interest in animals, of course, extends ment, such beyond companionship and backyard observa- as circuses tion. In the U.S. alone, nearly 9 billion farm and grey- animals are killed for food production each hound rac- year. Some 30 million animals are used in ing, is prof- © Sawyer T. research and product testing. Animals are also it. Like all businesses, these operations exist to used in police and military operations, includ- make money—as from ticket sales, concessions, ing drug and land mine detection. In addition, betting, or the sale of related merchandise. The animals are hunted for sport and killed for their welfare of animals in such venues is secondary fur, blubber, shells, and tusks. to turning a profit. In the case of some zoos Animals have also long been used as a source and aquariums, which often have nonprofit sta- of entertainment. For many American families, tus, money plays an important role as well. a night at the Think About It circus or a trip Looking for information for a Under what circumstances, if any, do you believe school report? For detailed to the zoo or aquarium offers it is acceptable to use animals in entertainment? information about the history of What forms of animal entertainment, if any, would animals in entertainment, read a relatively inex- pensive oppor- you object to? Hold on to your answer. We will The Rose-Tinted Mengerie at come back to it later in this guide. www.iridescentpublishing.com tunity to see /rtmcont.htm. The online book wild animals up On Their Side close. In some takes a close look at the use of Founded in 1954, The Humane Society of the animals in circuses and zoos parts of the U.S., rodeos attract United States (HSUS) is the world’s largest animal from ancient Rome to the twen- protection organization. Working with veterinari- ty-first century. thousands of people. Grey- ans, teachers, and other professionals, The HSUS hound and thor- seeks to help animals through investigations, leg- oughbred racing are part of a multibillion dol- islative and consumer advocacy campaigns, and lar gambling industry that includes live events a variety of animal protection programs. Key to and off-track betting. And dogfighting matches, all of The HSUS’s efforts to preventing animal although illegal, are increasingly common. suffering is public education about the issues. The concept of using animals for entertainment As a young activist for animals, one of the most is hardly a new one. People have been fascinat- important steps you can take to help animals is 1 to learn as much as attend or witness? What thoughts or concerns you can about the did you have about the treatment of performing issues. Animals in animals, if any? Did you believe that those expe- Entertainment is one in riences were valuable in any way? If so, how? a series of study and activity guides that Explore the Issues offer a detailed look • This study into animal protection guide focuses issues, from factory- on animals in style farming to the the United use of animals in research and product testing. States; however, You may view all of the guides online in “Get animals are Into the Issues” at www.humaneteen.org. Ani- used in enter- mals in Entertainment will help you learn more tainment about the various ways in which animals are around the world, from bullfighting in Spain to used for enter- camel racing in tainment, how India. Select a Let us know about your efforts they are treated, country. Using to help animals. Send details the economic the Internet, about your activities to impact of ani- investigate how [email protected]. We mal-entertain- that country may publish a profile of you or ment businesses, regards ani- your animal protection club on and state and mals in enter- www.humaneteen.org, our federal laws tainment. What animal entertainment industries website for teens active in ani- regarding the are found there? How widespread are these mal protection. The site offers use of animals. activities? Do any surveys assess that country’s interviews with young animal As you read attitudes towards animals in entertainment? activists, message boards, use- through the What laws govern the treatment of animals in ful links, step-by-step projects, guide, we urge entertainment in that country? (Some good interactive surveys, and up-to- you to give care- sources of information are www.sharkonline date information about impor- ful thought to .org, www.peta.org, and www.wspa.org/uk.) tant animal protection issues. the “Think Present your findings in a report for your Eng- About It” ques- lish or social studies class. tions, which are useful not only for exploring • All 50 states have animal anti-cruelty laws. your own attitudes and opinions but also as Some cities and counties have bans on enter- conversation starters in classrooms and club tainment acts that use wild animals. What ani- meetings. “Explore the Issues” offers school mal-related laws does your state or town have project ideas and activities to help you delve in place? You can gather information by visiting into issues and enhance your research, writing, your state’s official homepage. Type your and public speaking skills. And “Take Action” state’s abbreviation into www.state.(STATE offers opportunities for you to help animals in ABBREVIATION).us. You may also investigate your own community and beyond. your state’s laws at www.AnimalLaw.com, Think About It which includes a searchable database of ani- • Animals used for food or research purposes are mal-related laws. To learn about ordinances in often caused pain or distress. Does this bother your city or county, contact your local govern- you as much as when animals are harmed in the ment. Laws to research include: entertainment industry? Explain. ! Does my state allow greyhound racing? If • As a child, what animal exhibits or acts did you so, do any of my state’s laws address how 2 greyhounds Take Action should be treated at the • The first step towards becoming an effective track? When activist for animals is education. If you are their racing planning to undertake activities to help animals careers are used in entertainment, learn as much as you over? Who is can. Explore the “Resources” section at the end responsible © Images Getty of this guide. for enforcing these laws? • Do you disagree with one of the animal-relat- ! What are my state’s anti-cruelty laws? ed laws (or lack thereof) in your city or state? How do those laws affect animals used in the Contact your local or state government mem- entertainment industry? bers to express your concerns and explain what you would like to see changed.