Circuses have a history of animal abuse and today it is completely banned in 8 countries, including Bolivia, Peru, Greece, Paraguay, Netherlands, Slovenia and Columbia. Over 40 countries have partial bans on circuses.  In Canada, there are 28 local jurisdictions that have banned animal circuses but NOT in Markham, Ontario! Last year, the Shrine Circus was allowed to perform in Markham at the Markham Fairgrounds featuring wild animals including horses and elephants.

Circuses are an outdated and cruel form of entertainment which shouldn't be allowed in our country. Animals used in circuses face tremendous suffering, trauma and abuse. Training methods are often cruel and inhumane. Baby elephants are often torn from their mothers for violent training that includes prolonged restraint and physical punishment with bullhooks, which are steel rods similar to fireplace pokers used to control the elephants that force them to perform unnatural tricks.  Animals are caged 95% of the time, living in agony and a life of imprisonment.  The animals are often caged in darkness for days, neglected, beaten, and ridden with injuries and diseases.  

This petition is to urge the Mayor and Councillors of Markham to put circus ban back on the table and to ban all animal circuses in Markham.  Circuses are often entangled with illegal wildlife trafficking and we do not want to see it return this year. There needs to be stronger anti-cruelty laws to protect domestic and wildlife animals and more rigorous education to children, youth and adults on humane treatment of animals. Please ban animal circuses from returning to Markham!

For more information on how you can help animals, please visit www.peacefurpaws.org