In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a circus camel began bucking during an intermission at the Shrine Circus as it carried two children and an adult. All together six children and an adult were injured, causing guests to flee from the PPG Paints Arena. One child suffered a broken arm.
According to Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the incident, captured on video while people had been purchasing rides on tethered camels, ponies and elephants being ushered around the stage area by handlers, occurred when a child threw a shovel used to clean up after the animals, at the camel’s feet. At that moment, the scared circus camel bucked, although he was brought under control quickly.
“Ladies and gentlemen, remain calm, please. Please remain calm. No unnecessary movement. Slowly leave the arena floor if you feel safer. We are looking for a medic, an EMT,” the announcer at the circus stated during the recorded video.
None of the circus animals were reported to have been injured, and authorities are reviewing the incident. The Humane Action Pittsburgh, a coalition of citizen lobbyists dedicated to advancing animal protection through legislation and policy, issued their statement concerning the disturbing situation which included in part:
“We are saddened to hear of the incident that took place today at PPG Paints Arena with the Shrine Circus, but not at all surprised. Animal circuses, especially those whom the Syria Shrine Circus subcontracts their animals from, have a long history of animal abuse and public safety violations.”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Deputy Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement criticized the use of wild and exotic animals and called on the Syria Shriners to put an end to using animals forced to perform in circuses.
Check out the video recorded by Nay Owens as she and her daughter were too close for comfort.
“Y’all I can’t even lie I’m a lil in shock like me n my daughter were standing right there. I was jus letting her walk, good thing not to far from me cuz I grabbed her quick.”
https://www.facebook.com/100008037737870/videos/2184356338508936/?id=100008037737870
Animal advocates continue to use graphic examples like these to urge the public never to buy tickets to any circus that uses animals in their acts.
Read the latest animal news on the National Pet Rescue page on Facebook.
Yesterday in the news: Officials unsure if cougar who was shot is the same one that killed hiker – more here.
Outrageous! Dog rescued after being left chained to tree in rising tide water – more here.
This adorable cow thinks he’s a dog!
I wish circuses would stop using animals altogether. They’re often abused, misused, and the life they live isn’t the life they’re meant to live. It needs to end.
That being said, this is yet ANOTHER example of parents failing to properly control their demon spawn and teach them to respect animals in the first place.
Throwing a shovel at the camel’s feet, especially when there are people riding him, is not only stupid, it’s DANGEROUS, and it’s an example of parental failure at the highest level.
Who are these people raising kids like this? What’s wrong with them that they can’t even keep a SHOVEL from their spawn’s hands and keep them from throwing it? A SHOVEL!!!!!
Why can’t parents control their kids any more? If they can’t, then they need to stay the hell home where they can keep the rest of us safe from them and their horrible offspring.
Because apparently everyone is afraid to discipline their child. I’m not saying beat the tar out of the kid but sometimes a little swat on the behind gets their attention. Don’t beat the kid, its more of an attention thing. And for all the people so quick to call family services: mind your own business.
I agree with you, a good swat on the butt never hurt me or my kids. And my kids wouldn’t have been throwing shovels at any animals! I for one am sick of going somewhere listening to kids screaming at the top of their lungs as the parents “sweetly” say “use your indoor voice”. BS! My mother’s response would have been “be quiet or I will give you something to cry about”! End of screaming and crying, we knew what she meant.
I agree with everything you said, maxiemom, however the parents are already teaching their children to disrespect animals the moment they take them to a circus with live animal acts.
STUPID circus, for continuing to exploit and abuse ANY animal for “entertainment”!
Even MORE STUPID parent, for not monitoring your STUPID child – allowing it to injure others, NOT TO MENTION TERRORIZING THE HAPLESS CAMEL!!!
The Shriners run the most abusive, cruelest circuses in the country. You’re going to blame a poor camel, who was forced to carry 6 people, while some nitwit threw a shovel at him???
Shrine Circus – Home | Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/Shrine-Circus-160255732931
Inhumanity to the MAX! Please support the organizations working HARD to BAN circuses!
They probably beat that camel senseless after the show.
Another prime example of brats out of control. How did a child get their hands on a shovel and be able to throw it if the parents were properly supervising the brat! And who will be at fault here the poor camel! Yes, these poor animals should be banned from circuses, when they are forced to deal with idiot humans, it is for their own protection.