The circus is coming to town, but, before readers rush out to buy tickets, they might want to think about what happens to animal performers behind the scenes.

Current animal welfare laws set only the most minimal standards -- such as requiring that animals have enough room to stand up and turn around when confined -- but even these basic regulations can be ignored. For example, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' USDA inspection reports over the years are riddled with violations, including a failure to provide animals with exercise and sufficient space. And although its literature claims, "At Ringling Bros., the relationship between animals and humans is built on mutual respect, trust, and affection," recent events suggest otherwise.

In January 1998, a Ringling Bros. trainer pumped five shotgun blasts into a caged tiger after the animal had attacked another trainer hours earlier in the day. In the same month, Kenny, a 3-year-old elephant traveling with Ringling Bros., was forced to perform in two shows despite the fact that he was known to be sick. Kenny died just hours later.

In comments made to the government in December 1997, Ringling Bros. defended the use of metal bullhooks and whips on animals, stating that "negative reinforcement and discipline are tools which ultimately protect the animal and the individuals working with the animal." Video footage of Ringling Bros. trainers shows an elephant being whipped in the face and gouged with metal hooks.

Circuses that exploit animals have no place in a compassionate society. It's time for all of us to stop patronizing animal circuses -- and to demand that the animal performers be sent to sanctuaries, where they can live out their lives in dignity.

Jaclyn Rosen