Community Corner

Milford Nurse Denounces Circus Returning to City

The following is a letter penned by a Milford nurse in opposition to Cole Bros. Circus returning to Milford, as read to the city's Board of Aldermen Monday night.

By Joan Braun

I have been a registered nurse for 38 years and a school nurse here in Milford for the last 12 years.

Our goal, as school nurses, is to promote health in all aspects in order that our children can reach their highest potential.

I have always felt, as both a nurse and a mother of two daughters, that the "health" of each individual not only pertains to the physical, emotional and psychological well-being, but instilling kindness and compassion to all living creatures -- being an advocate to those that can not speak for themselves.

When I read Lorrie Davies' article regarding the cruelty and abuse committed by Cole Bros. Circus, I went online myself and was appalled and distressed by the thousands of violations that Cole Bros. Circus has against them: violating the Animal Welfare Act, pleading guilty to violating the Endangered Species Act and violence and physical abuse.

In 2012, a video showed footage "of elephant beatings with bullhooks and shocking them with electric prods."

These are just a few examples of the atrocities that this one circus, the Cole Bros., has done to innocent animals. They can no longer own circus animals themselves, but lease animals from other circuses.

Putting a ban on bullhooks and electric prods will not prevent a group like this from continuing to abuse animals that are born wild.

Overseeing their actions during circus hours may show a "compassionate" facade but when they come into towns during the late night and leave at night, no one is there to oversee the abuse that continues.

I ask that you please ban animal circuses from Milford and promote the animal-free "circus of the stars."

I feel that people in our town would approve and we would advocate "circus of the stars" as another example of Milford being a small city with a big heart.


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