‘Ben Hur’ Hurts Animals

PETA Europe members were at The O2 arena in London yesterday to protest Ben Hur Live‘s use of real horses, camels, donkeys, chickens, falcons, and eagles forced to “perform” in the show’s rock concert–like chaos of bright lights, loud noise, and commotion.

Animals forced to perform never find it entertaining. And for the more than 100 animals used in the European production of Ben Hur Live, “stage fright” has certainly taken on a very literal meaning.

We’ve all heard that animals used for circuses are beaten, chained for up to 100 hours at a time, and carted around the country in tiny boxcars without a semblance of a natural life, but being on stage is just as terrifying and unnatural, and as I’m sure you’ve probably learned, it often ends in tragedy for the animals and the audience.

Please tell everyone you know in Europe that Ben Hur Live is hell for animals before someone gets hurt, and urge your friends and family never to patronize shows that use live animals.

Written by Heather Drennan