While countries around the world are taking action to stop the exploitation of animals, particularly those in the wild, it is a disgrace to see animals under government responsibility being used for public entertainment.
Rampant abuse of animals is indeed a sad reflection on our society, especially when its greatest targets for causing misery are those who cannot fight back, those who have no voice to speak out against brutality.
With the debate over animal rights and the commercial use of animals, especially those that are either wild or exotic, goes on, the list of countries and cities putting a complete or partial ban on the use of animals in circuses is expanding. Unfortunately, Pakistan is far from making it to the list.
Animals in circuses are often beaten, shocked, kicked, or cruelly confined to train them to be obedient and perform tricks. With wild animals, the abuse begins when they are babies to break their spirits. The abuse continues into adulthood, and they are never free of the bullhooks that puncture their skin.
They are often taken away from their wild homes when they are babies, leaving them scared and separated from their families. They undergo torturous training for completely unnatural performance. Lions are naturally afraid of fire but are routinely forced to jump through flaming hoops. One such video recently emerged on Twitter, showing lions put through inhumane torture,
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Lahore-based JFK Animal Rescue And Shelter also urged the government to stop licensing wild animals for circuses. Moreover, it initiated an online petition for this purpose and urged people to raise their voices for these animals.
According to the petition, one of these circuses is Luck Irani Circus that openly tortures animals for entertainment. It is owned by Lucky Corporation. The chairman is Mian Amjad Farzand. It is in high demand in areas like Dera Ghazi Khan, Kot Adu, Chakwal, Gujranwala, and Lahore. Due to COVID restrictions, they are currently unable to operate but the animals are still being trained in a torturous fashion for future shows.
Are you willing to speak up for the tortured animals who cannot speak for themselves? Because without our voices, their suffering will continue. You must sign the petition!
Besides being used in circuses, many people are seen torturing lions for TikTok and videos. One such video recently emerged on TikTok in which a man beat and brutally tortured a lion cub while dragging it with its collar chain.
There is legislation in Pakistan for the prevention of cruelty to animals. However, these laws are never implemented, and animal cruelty rises in the country.
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