LETTER: Think Twice Before Going to the Circus

Broadside Letter to the Editor

As a concerned citizen and a retired Fairfax Counter teacher, I ask for your help by publishing this letter.

The circus will be coming to town. Tigers will pace back and forth. Have you ever seen chained elephants rock back and forth?

In the wild, elephants travel in highly socialized herds and walk many miles each day. Now they are forced to perform, travel in train cars, and remain in chains.

Baby elephants, who under normal circumstance would be close to their mothers, are made to perform. Whips and bullhooks(large rods with sharp points) are often present during the show.

What examples are we showing our children about dominance and kindness?

Is there a danger of one of these wild animals going berserk?

Please consider these images and possibilities before you go to the circus or take your children.

Thank you,

Rosalie Lesser
(703) 451-4767