Date: 10/18/2023
This year, the Big E took a step forward once again and broke some daily attendance records. The Big E had no wild animals for the second year in a row and removed a camel show that was there the past five or so years (camels are not wild, according to the USDA). After many decades of wild animals at the Big E and the tragic death of a sick older elephant named Beulah there in 2019, last year was a groundbreaker and broke attendance records. I hope the Big E continues on the right path and eventually removes all animals in entertainment.
But unfortunately, this year Commerford Petting Zoo was back with animals, including camel and pony rides. It is appalling that Commerford, which has a list of over 50 Animal Welfare Act violations and accidents and owned Beulah, who died on Day 3 of the 2019 Big E, is still there, not to mention in business. Beulah collapsed three times while on display and was left to die there. According to the USDA, her death was caused by a uterine infection, which Commerford eventually admitted.
It was also disappointing to see that the Big E Circus still had dogs and horses this year. Even domesticated animals suffer in circuses. They are often forced to perform unnatural acts using painful training techniques. And animals in traveling exhibits often live in tiny transport cages or trailers and are shipped from event to event much of the year, in unnatural, stressful, noisy, unhealthy environments with inadequate veterinary care.
Beulah’s horrific death is evidence that the weak Animal Welfare Act regulations are poorly enforced and the use of animals in entertainment at the Big E must come to an end. And in honor of Beulah, it is time to ban the use of wild animals in traveling shows in Massachusetts by passing “the Circus Bill,” S. 2197, S. 2189 and H. 3245.
Sheryl Becker
Agawam
