|
|
| Public supports circus animal ban | Back |
|
© Captive Animals’ Protection Society |
|
| | The UK government's public consultation on the use of wild animals in circuses has revealed overhwelming public support for an outright ban. The Animal Welfare Minister Jim Fitzpatrick has indicated that in the light of the result, he is "minded to pursue a ban". This should mean that the misery suffered by circus animals will soon come to an end. |
|
|
| Wild animals have been forced to perform in circuses and travelling shows in the name of "entertainment" for many years. The sad truth is that these animals have to endure physical abuse and degradation, cramped and often filthy housing conditions between perfomances and during transport, isolation from their own kind, poor nutrition, and inadequate veterinary care. | |
| This abuse has been well documented, with several high profile cases highlighted recently. In the UK, the abuse of elephants by the Great British Circus was brought to the attention of the media and the public by Animal Defenders International just last year. Their distressing footage shows violence towards and confinement of these magnificent animals, and provides evidence for long term injury to the elephants. | |
| The exposure of the abuses at the Great British Circus lead to the sacking of a keeper. However, the suffering will only stop when the use of wild animals in circuses is banned completely. Bolivia became the first country to ban all animals in travelling circuses last year, and Brazil looks likely to follow with a ban on the use of wild animals. | |
| During the passage of the Animal Welfare Act in 2006, the UK government promised that a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses would follow. Sadly that didn't happen. Instead, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) launched a public consultation process on the issue in December 2009, which has just finished. Care for the Wild International was one of several prominent NGOs calling for an outright ban, and calling on its supporters to do the same. | |
| More than 94% of respondents supported an outright ban! | |
| Jim Fitzpatrick's statement of support for a ban in the light of the consultation results, and for the animals concerned to be found ssanctuary rather than destroyed, is to be welcomed. However, with a general election looming there may not be sufficient parliamentary time for the necessary legeslation to be introduced, and there is no guarantee that a new government will uphold the findings of the consultation. We need to continue to pressure MPs and ministers to ensure the UK joins the likes of Bolivia and Brazil in finally bringing to an end the suffering of wild animals in circuses. | |
|
| |
|
|
