I’m not too sure about this one either (oh God, I’m agreeing with Y Mab!!!).

I think the use of “exotic” animals is totally out of order, even zoos have difficulty providing a decent environment for bears, elephants etc.

When it comes to domestic animals such as horses and dogs, which have become accustomed to human company over thousands of years I think it’s rather different. Obviously there needs to be strict enforcement of welfare standards, but I would ask which has the happier and healthier life – a dog doing tricks in a circus or some poor creature left chained up in a back garden?

Interestingly Sweden (which has the world’s strictest animal welfare legislation) permits the use of domestic animals in circuses – at least one British circus relocated there as a result.

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FLUFFY bunny brigade out again, it is not a traditional circus, the usa and most of europe have them and there very good infact .Here in the uk some people would have there animals sleeping on the furniture and the human on the floor, i suggest they campaign about something important like more money for cancer drugs etc etc etc

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i think protesters would be better served getting the eu to ban bull fighting, i used to look forward to bertram mills, billy smarts and chipperfields cicus’s visting the town. i always paid extra to visit the menageries and see the animals which seemed well cared for. is there any difference between circus and indoor show jumping i suggest not. it seem light years ago since bertram mills would parade their elephants through shrewsbury, so if you are seriously concerned about animal welfare, sort the spanish out.
from co-co the clown

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the circus animals at jollys circus are just more family members the jollys look after the animals just as much if not more than them selfs .i have never in all my years going to see circuses seen any sign of crulty so long live animal circuses and lets see more circuses get off of there pedistal and bring back what the paying public wants to see animals in circuses lions tigers elephants the lot .

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so why is it that circuses that have animals play to full houses while those with all human acts struggle to make a living???? clearly the general public want to see animals and so long as they are well cared for…. most of them are given better conditions that humans

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A circus without animals is like like strawberry with out cream if only these caps people would concentrate on seeing how well cared for and happy in there safe enviroment, instead of spreading malicious lies

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I can agree with you for once devon salopian, bull fighting is an afront to every civilised person and value whether they be Spanish or whatever. This barbaric antic should be stopped immediately and the EU would go up in my estimation (from the pits were it is at present) if it did so.

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Stuart and Devon: I’ve never actually seen bull foghting and the behind the scenes issues. But I would like to so that i could form a more informed experience.
However to be fair to the siesta loving Spanish, they do allow the tables to be turned with the Pamplona Bull Run.

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just because animal cruelty is obvious in bullfighting, battery farming etc it doesnt mean these groups should ignore the cruelty of animals in circuses. i agree with those who want to end this outdated practice. i support the circuses without animals and take kids to them every year. Groups like caps have my full support

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With this headline I thought it was referring to Whitchurch council meetings

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