Circus in plea to councillors
Thursday 16th April 2009, 11:59AM BST.
The circus community today called on councillors not to ban live animals from performing on Powys County Council land.
Members of the licensing committee were due to meet today in Llandrindod Wells to discuss whether or not to bar circuses with live animals from authority sites.
A report from Sue King, the council’s animal health officer, has recommended members go ahead with the ban on the basis of animal health.
But Chris Barltrop, of the Classical Circus Association and DEFRA’S Circus Working Group, said there was no harm in using “exotic” animals in circuses.
He said: “I wish to draw the members’ attention to a DEFRA report which says while it is accepted animals kept in circuses were more confined than in the wild, the opinion of most of the panel was that this did not, necessarily, lead to adverse welfare.
“There is also no evidence that regular transportation causes the animals’ welfare to be adversely affected and there is little evidence the health of circus animals is any better or worse than animals in other captive environments.”
He added: “The traditional circus is a valuable aspect of our popular culture.”
Mrs King’s report tells members that the RSPCA has written to Welsh local authorities to request consideration is given to preventing the use of council land by travelling circuses which use wild animals.
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God made animals for man – the Bible says so.
This would be an affront to my religious convictions if I had any.
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The Bible doesnt say God made animals for man. Thats the interpretation by some to justify the lousy and cruel treatment man dishes out to our fellow animals. Man is however the caretaker of the animals and so it is our responsibility to ensure they are cared for appropraitely.
There is a perfect reason to ban exotic animals in circuses- it is because it is cruel. Exotic animals need miles and miles of space, need to express their natural behaviours, not stuck in a cage year in year out so that some humans who are obviously needy can make money out of these animals misery.
We are in the 21st century- and compassion and understanding of just how and the extent to which these animals suffer should be understood- but as usual humans in our arrogant and ignorant way continue with these businesses which should have gone last century.
BAN exotic animals from circuses. PERMANTENTLY.
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I will never visit a circus with animal performers because the animals never signed a contract or have rights, they don’t receive a salary only whips, bullhooks, electric prods, chaines and cages. The circus is about manipulative shows, that is okay as long as the performer can act by free will but the animals’wills are broken they have no choice and the wounds and bruises are covered up with wonderdust (make-up). The human circus performers can visit their family and friends when ever they want, the animals never see their family and friends again. Stop the cruelty and focus on compassion; that is better for humans and for animals.
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Mercedes, please provide some proof that British circuses use any of the methods you are claiming.
The fact is you can’t or you would have handed it over to the authorities and a prosecution would have taken place by now.
In the UK prosecutors have the power to seize an animal and have it examined by specialist vets. No amount of ‘wonderdust’ would conceal such wounds and bruises since even the animals fur is shaved off during an investigation.
The DEFRA report found no evidence of such suffering. Nor did the Kiley Worthington report which was funded by the RSPCA.
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OMG, what a load of bunny huggers!
I went to circus last year and went back stage to see the animals stabled up – there are in fact quite happy and well treated.
I understand livestock and know contented animal when I see them.
If the lama’s were brassed off, they would spit on people, but they didn’t.
They are much happier, never suffer droughts or famines, or get devoured by predators. They recieve excellent vetinery care due to their value – probably better then old people get on the NHS.
Perhaps if old people were cute and fluffy, they might get treated better – get your priorities right!
Just next do you want to ban? How about cats? They are terrible desimating wildlife and torturing their victims for hours before killing them.
Honestly *tut*
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I on no level would ever accept cruelty to animals. I am extremley hot tempered when it comes to the subject! However I feel that in this situation I would doubt that any harm would indeed come to them. The type of cruelty suggested would be deeply investigated and as for the animals not seeing their families, I should imagine thay become family. Usually if an animal is mistreated the results in their behaviour would be obvious. My final note is to the people who quoted the bible. I hope not to offened anyone but personaly I would never live by the rules of a very contradicting book written thousands of years ago. It could have been written by anyone as far as we know and it’s my belief that religion is just mans perception of god. what something say’s on paper is no way to justify whether something is right or wrong it’s what you feel in your own personal morals. If you have doubts about the treatment of these animals and feel strongly about it you could always offer to help care for them while they are visiting to see what goes on behind the scenes?
just a suggestion.
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perhaps we should focus on more concerning issues like sport hunting and the beliefs of the toff thinking that they are intitled to the suffering and pain of a tortured animal for their mear amusment?
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