Animals in Sports and Entertainment

[Kasynlie]

This debate is about various other uses of animals for sport, pleasure, and entertainment. A wide variety of examples from different cultures around the world might be brought into this debate: 'blood sports' such as fox and stag hunting, and fishing; forms of entertainment using performing animals, such as circuses; and sports in which animals perform for human enjoyment, such as horse racing and bull fighting. Views on these issues are often very culture-specific - e.g. some Spanish people may find it easy to accept bull fighting, or some British people may feel more sympathy with fox hunting - these practices can form part of a national culture. Nonetheless animal rights advocates find these to be the most indefensible ways that humans treat other animals. There are two parts to the proposition case: first, it is wrong in principle to exploit non-human animals in any way; secondly, there are many concrete examples of how animals are made to suffer in the context of sports and entertainment. As in any good debate, both sides should pay attention both to principled arguments and to concrete examples throughout the debate.This debate could be done, as it is here, as an overview of a whole range of uses of animals in sporting and entertainment contexts. Alternatively, one particular issue, such as hunting, circuses, or horse/dog racing, could be taken as the main focus.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Well hunting cant be for sport and it can be for food. Its human nature to want go out to hunt and gather for your family.



I dont see how watch a suffering and animal can be entertainment. I'm sure how they treat race animals.

At least its not as bad as cock fighting or something like that.

 

[Peaceful]

All animals used for human entertainment is wrong, ie, Dog Racing, Horse racing, Hunting, Circuses. Then in third world countries things such as Bear Dancing.



It should all be banned, if you want to be entertained go for a walk in a forest and search for some wild animals, It's much more entertaining. Go Scuba Diving and see the fish, sharks, whales in the wild.



Go for a run with your dog, it's the same thing, or have a few friends and go for a run with them.



Ride your horse around your house with friends.



There's so many alternatives to keeping animals in captivity and subjecting them to pain, unrest, and just a sad life.

 

[Cranos]

I'm not necessarily against it. I mean, I would be for it if the animals were treated with respect. That excludes any sport that involves beating up or killing the animal of course...