Circuses Cruelty Checklist

1. Unloading of Animals

Watch for signs of lameness, such as an uneven gait, stiff, unbending legs or limping.
Check the vehicles for anything that could endanger the animals, such as protruding nails, rusty panels, ventilation problems, etc. Check trailers or boxcars for accumulation of faeces and urine.

It is illegal to exhibit, train or make bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers or lions perform in circuses in India.

All animals should have constant access to fresh water. Circuses may try to withhold water in order to avoid ‘untimely urination in the ring’.
Elephants should have palatable hay within reach at all times and water to spray themselves with.
No public feeding of elephants should be allowed.
Inspect stored animal food, checking for any contamination or mould.

All animals should have access to shade and proper ventilation at all times.

All animals should be able to turn around fully, lie down and stand up while in cages.
Animals should not be forced to stand in their own excrement.
Big cats are illegal but if they are being kept, they should at least have resting boards.
Monkeys are illegal, but if they are still being kept, they must have environmental enrichment, such as balls, ropes, tires, etc.
Document any stereotypical behaviour like rocking, weaving, pacing, self-mutilation and cribbing (bar-biting).

Observe animals for any difficulty doing specific manoeuvres. This may be a sign of an injury.
Look for hooking, whipping or hitting the animals to make them perform. Document everything.
If the acts are too unnatural, please file a complaint with your local police station, and if possible go to court to stop these cruel acts.
Check to see if a veterinarian travels with the circus full-time. If not, arrange for a local vet to see the animals immediately. Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 and notified in the Government Gazette on 26 March 2001, any circus having more than 10 animals is required to have a resident veterinarian for the care, treatment and transport of the animals. The wild animals need specialists in the wild life veterinary sciences.

If an elephant is down on his or her side and does not rise when you approach, this is a sign of a serious problem. Elephants do sleep on their side, but they do not stay down when strangers approach because this is a very vulnerable position. Since an elephant naturally sleeps only four hours each night, sleeping during the day also signals a problem.
Observe the elephants’ feet for cracked and infected toenails and overgrown
nails, cuticles and footpads. Swelling, discolouration and peeling skin above the nail may indicate infection.
Observe all animals for lameness, abrasions, wounds, urine burns, saddle sores and puncture marks.
Urinating during training or performance is a sign of fear. If you observe this, document the handler’s name.
No animal should perform if any signs of illness or discomfort are present.
There should be a safety barrier between the animals and the audience.