The morality of using animals for human entertainment has long been a controversial and polarizing issue, and for which there is no clearly defined solution. Debates over this issue typically question the ethical responsibilities that humans have toward animals and, therefore, whether or not animals deserve to receive the same ethical treatment as humans. This is perhaps most evident in the extensive, subjective and widespread debate regarding the ethical acceptability of the use of circus animals for human entertainment. Many would argue that the benefits of entertainment for humans outweigh the harmful effects on animals. However, conversely, it has been proposed that circuses knowingly harm these animals, both physically and psychologically. This essay will argue that owning and training circus animals to perform for human entertainment is a clearly ethically unacceptable practice and, therefore, that humans have an obligation to uphold appropriately the ethical rights of circus animals. In doing so, three main points will be argued. Initially, investigations will be undertaken to assess the quality of life of circus animals. More specifically, methods of treating and training circus animals will be examined to demonstrate that these practices are both unnecessary and cause physical suffering to the animals. Second, legislation relating to the treatment of circus animals will be explored. Subsequently, human attitudes and behaviors towards circus animals will be studied, while social ignorance and apathy towards the treatment of circus animals will be discussed, in order to show that these laws do not adequately protect animals circus. Finally, animal sentience will be involved...... middle of article......', Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law, vol.1, no.13, pp.155-170.Carmeli , YS 2002, "'Animal cruelty' and nostalgic totality: performance of a traveling circus in Britain", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol.22, no.12, pp.73-88.Garner , R 1993, Animals, politics and morality, Manchester University Press, Manchester, United Kingdom, pp. 92-94. Nussbaum, MC 2006, “The moral status of animals”, The Chronicle of Higher Education, vol.1, no.4, pp. 1 -6.PETA 2012, Circuses; Three Rings of Abuse, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Norfolk, VA. Roleff, TL, Hurley, JA 1999, The Rights of Animals, Greenhaven Press, San Diego. Ringling Bros 2010, Circus Animal Abuse, video, YouTube, October 23, accessed April 18, 2014, .Serpell, J 1986, In the company of animals, B. Blackwell, Oxford.