Justice for Lima

For all twelve years of his life, Lima endured enslavement, abuse and exploitation. He made a courageous run for it on February 18, 2010. This was the third time that he ran away. He made a daring race through downtown Atlanta, seeing many sights as he made a frantic bid for freedom, before being caught and later murdered. Lima was a zebra. He was a unique, handsome being, and his captors were Ringing Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Lima's life could not have been easy. The horrific abuse captured on video done by the inhumane Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey circus gives us a clue as to the awful life that he survived. Look at this fact sheet for so many crimes against animals that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus has done. While I may not agree with PETA on everything, the investigations they've done are solid and painfully revealing.

I first saw the report on Lima's escape and murder on “Issues” with Jane Velez-Mitchell tonight. I was instantly moved to tears by his plight, and I started to do more research on the beautiful Lima.

Despite the fact that he was initially declared fit except for some scrapes on his hooves, it was announced today that he was murdered. The excuse? Damage to his hooves. Perhaps he wasn't as useful to Ringling Bros. anymore? They may say it was humane, but he was declared fine. If a person needs surgery and correction, do they kill him?

Lima's tragic life and murder has really touched my soul. I am waking up more and more to the reality that I want to work more efficiently and relentlessly for a kinder world and the cessation of animal exploitation. This must be stopped. It's in the hands of each person to make sure that these abusers aren't supported in any way, shape or form. Avoiding inhumane circuses and teaching children and others about kindness to animals instead is a step that must be taken. Laws need to change.

Justice needs to be done for Lima.