Joan Jett Urges Maryland Fair To Nix Elepant And Camel Rides
Written by Vegetarian Star on September 29th, 2014 in Animal Issues, Female Musicians, Female Singers.
The Maryland Renaissance festival has arrived, and rocker Joan Jett has penned a letter to officials in the state she grew up in, asking them to nix the traditional elephant and camel rides.
“Unlike musicians such as me, these wild animals do not choose to perform. In the desert, where they belong, camels live in social herds,” Jett said.
“When they are hauled around and forced to give rides, they are confined to transport trailers and small pens and denied adequate socialization, along with everything else that is natural and important to them. Elephants used for rides are trained through domination, fear, and punishment—including beatings with sharp metal bullhooks, which trainers use to strike and jab the animals on the most sensitive parts of their bodies.”
Jett not only discusses the risks and dangers to animals used in these activities, she highlights the threat to human life as well. In 2009, an elephant injured 15 children at an event that offered animal rides.
Photo: Jessica Harcourt Leary/Creative Commons
Possibly Related Posts:
- Jon Stewart and Wife Tracey Stewart Adopt Horse
- Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Elephants Retire To Sanctuary
- Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro
- SeaWorld Phasing Out Whale Breeding Program
- Best Vegetarian Stories Of 2015
