Editor:
I am writing about the upcoming Jordan World Circus that’s coming to the Okanagan this year. Their flyers are all around town for their upcoming shows in Salmon Arm, Vernon and Penticton.
Using animals for entertainment is not only dated but cruel.
Animals used in circuses live a dismal life of domination, confinement and violent training.
The Jordan Circus uses bears in a “Wild West Bears” show, where they are wearing bandanas as they jump through fire, push stage coaches and walk on wagon wheels.
They also have exotic big cats, lions and Siberian tigers in a display of “animal mastery.”
The circus is owned by a couple from Las Vegas, which lets you know how far these animals have had to travel, most likely in poorly ventilated trailers and boxcars, and they are to perform in Alberta and B.C from July 16 to Aug. 1 with two shows a day and only one day off!
The Jordan Circus also failed to meet minimal federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established in the Animal Welfare Act, such as unsafe enclosures, inadequate vet care, proper animal handling, to name a few.
They waited a month to seek treatment for a malnourished tiger with a fractured leg and forced another sick tiger to perform.
They also left tigers in small travel cages for up to 11 days without any exercise!
Therefore they no longer possess an exhibitor license from the USDA, which is why they come here where they are not required to have one.
It’s time for us to urge our officials to bring only animal-free circuses to our towns.
Kids who are naturally fond of animals would have to be dragged kicking and screaming to the circus if they knew of the suffering these animals endure for a fleeting moment of so-called amusement.
Circuses deprive animals of their basic needs to exercise, roam, socialize, forage and play. Instead they are beaten, shocked and whipped to make them perform ridiculous tricks that they cannot comprehend.
A growing number of cities are restricting or banning the use of animals in entertainment.
We need to do the same.
On www.circuses.com/pdfs/Jordan_World_Circus_Factsheet.pdf you will find some very disturbing facts about this circus that’s coming to our towns.
On the PETA website you will also find a long list of other criminal circuses that still perform, the number one being Ringling Brothers.
There is very disturbing video footage of how they handle and train their elephants.
The animals of this world are our children too.
Mirella Cooper,
Osoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-July 21, 2010
WAIT-TIME FOR DOCTORS THE REAL PROBLEM
Editor:
When we moved here five years ago from the Kelowna area, I went to the Desert Doctors Clinic to see if we could get a family doctor.
I filled out the forms the receptionist gave me and a few days later she phoned and said that one of the doctors would take me and my husband as new patients.
I go to the doctor MAYBE twice a year for a checkup unless I have a problem of some kind.
Well let me say I try and go.
I have called on several occasions to get an appointment for that day or the next day and have been told that the next available appointment might be in two weeks and even a month away.
I have also been told that if I call right at 9 a.m. in the morning I might get an appointment if there is a slot available.
We have tried that and had to wait in the waiting room for up to two-and-a-half hours before we got to see the doctor.
I have also been told if I want an appointment that day maybe I should go to the Oliver Hospital Emergency.
Last week I had a concern and thought I should see my doctor about it.
I was told the next available appointment would be July 29, or call at 9 a.m. the next morning to see if there was a slot available.
I tried that and the phone was busy for 10 minutes.
When I did get through all the appointments were taken for that day, and to try again tomorrow.
I then called our MLA John Slater’s office to see if I could get any help there.
The secretary told me she was sorry to hear that I couldn’t get an appointment with my family doctor.
She assured me that there would be a family doctor for every British Columbian by the year 2015.
I then went to the Oliver Hospital Emergency.
I got in right away.
My problem wasn’t as serious as I had thought, so that was good to hear.
If we would have researched the medical system here in Osoyoos before we moved here we would have stayed in the Kelowna area where we had good doctors.
Why are there not enough family doctors in this area?
Is this a government issue?
The two offices that we have here are so small and in need of upgrading.
The lab is also in bad need of upgrading.
When my husband and I need an appointment for something we would like to have one that day and not in two weeks when the problem is gone or worse.
What do we pay B.C. Medical for?
Carol Vlahovic,
Osoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-July 21, 2010
