Now in its 72nd year, the Irem Shrine Circus, opens Monday, April 10, at the Kingston Armory.
Times Leader | File Photo
Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Protesters from ‘Voice of the Animals’ will be at the opening of the 72nd Shrine Circus on Monday, April 10, at the Kingston Armory.
Times Leader | File Photo
KINGSTON — Silvie Pomicter, President of Voice of the Animals, Tuesday said that animals forced to perform in circuses aren’t trained to do confusing, uncomfortable, and even frightening tricks with food treats alone.
“They live under the constant threat of the bull-hook — a sharp steel-tipped weapon resembling a fireplace poker — or whip,” Pomicter said. “Circus trainers exploit the animals’ natural desire to avoid pain to make them balance on balls, spin on pedestals, walk on two legs, and ride bicycles. These circus animals are beaten, shocked and abused to learn tricks to entertain humans.”
The 72nd Irem Shrine Circus will be at the Kingston Armory from Monday, April 10, to Sunday, April 16. It was announced that there will not be any elephants at this year’s circus.
John Richards, Circus Chairman, issued a statement about the protests:
“This is America. Everybody has a right to their opinion. But what they are saying isn’t true. Our promoter (Billy Martin Productions) contracts with the animal acts and there are never any issues.”
“In the past, we have had incidents where the protesters have approached our ticket booth. We don’t interfere with them, so they shouldn’t interfere with us,” Richards said.
Pomicter, spokesperson for “Voice of the Animals,” an animal rights organization, said activists will be protesting the Shrine Circus at the Kingston Armory on Monday, April 10, from noon until 1 p.m. She said activists will be standing on the sidewalk on Market Street and Second Avenue.
“Lions and Tigers live in a 5-foot by 5-foot boxcars called ‘Beast wagons’ and are carted all over the country by train all year long,” she said. Pomicter added that normally in the wild, these animals would be with their families and are known to travel 50 to 100 miles a day.
“The only time these unfortunate animals come out in circuses is to do silly tricks for humans — the remainder of the time they live in these boxes,” Pomicter said. “They perform these tricks out of fear and intimidation, and knowing what will happen to them if they don’t perform these tricks.”
Pomicter said public attitudes about using animals for entertainment has been changing in recent years, which is one of the reasons the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus has discontinued using animals.
“There was a time when people used to laugh at humans with deformities (aka freaks) performing in circuses, fairs, etc., but we no longer consider this as funny and acceptable,” Pomicter said. “My dream is that someday we won’t have animals in entertainment.”
Pomicter added, “The bottom line is that these animals are living in an unnatural environment, ill-suited to their natural attributes and instincts, and subject to stresses that do not exist in the natural world. Retirement is long overdue for these magnificent creatures — let us release them into wildlife sanctuaries where they can live and enjoy their lives like nature intended, because animals are not for our entertainment.”
72nd Irem Shrine Circus
Monday, April 10, 1:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 11, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12, 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 13, 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Friday, April 14, 10 a.m. 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 15, 1:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 16, 2 p.m.
Tickets are: $8, $10, $12, $13, $18 & $22
Call: 570-714-0783 (office hours Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) — or visit — iremshrinecircus.com.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.