Thank you for your report on Clay Rosaire's Circus tigers. This storm could easily have resulted in half a dozen 500lb man eaters roaming the streets and that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why these traveling side shows should be banned.
If you were to google "Kay Rosaire" or her son "Clay Rosaire" you would find that her organization does not rescue cats, but rather is a part of the problem rather than the solution. They do not walk the talk and these pages will tell you more about them:
This is nothing more than an antiquated "carnie" circus.
Thankfully, in this more enlightened age of animal compassion, the market for these animal abusive displays is dwindling. Most people realize that there is nothing "educational" about seeing infant or adult wild animals caged, transported from venue to venue, "tamed" using abusive methods, existing solely as a profit center for a business. They watch Animal Planet, they visit truly accredited rescue sanctuaries, they are more aware of the reality of life for these imprisoned animals. In short, they are more educated and will look at anyone promoting them as irresponsible. (please note below the negative publicity that fairs have received as a result of displaying captive wildlife from leased organizations and the truth behind these displays)
Kay Rosaire's organization is not accredited and has been cited by the government for the abusive conditions in which their animals are kept. At a USDA Big Cat Symposium in Fort Worth, Texas on March 26, 2003, Kay Rosaire made this statement on stage: "To keep a tiger off you, you just poke 'em real hard with a pitchfork a time or two and show 'em who's boss. Then they'll get the message."
These articles will give you background on what the Rosaire's are really about.
Source
The animals have no voice, but you do, and you can still do so much to put an end to their abuse.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY NOT FAIR TO LIONS AND TIGERS
Fund for Animals Condemns Agricultural Fair for Hosting Big Cat Encounter
SILVER SPRING, MD (August 14, 2003)
The Fund for Animals is condemning the organizers of the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair for allowing the exhibit of lions and tigers by Rosaires Big Cat Encounter. Five lions and three tigers confined to small cages are on display at the fair this week.
The fair is taking a huge risk by promoting captive wild animal shows such as this, said Andi Bernat, Program Coordinator for The Fund for Animals. People unfortunately trust that these exotic animals can be domesticated when in fact, the animals often retain their wild instincts. According to the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, captive wild cats exhibited to the public have been responsible for 8 deaths and over 60 injuries. Bernat also pointed out that people who are in the business of displaying captive wild animals often end up selling or trading their animals to circuses, roadside petting zoos, and trophy hunting ranches.
In fact, Kay Rosaire, one of the Big Cat Encounter owners, was an exhibitor for UniverSoul Circus, which has been cited for a number of infractions including Animal Welfare Act violations, said Bernat. In 1999, the Big Cat Encounter was cited by the USDA for failure to provide proper veterinary care and for cages that did not meet minimal size requirements.
Captive wild animals deserve to be treated as animals, not as stage props, said Bernat. Having lions and tigers at a county fair is not only inhumane to the animals, but also poses a danger to citizens and could make the county and the fair organizers liable for injuries or deaths.
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