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Animal welfare row reignites as circus rolls in
JPCT-09-06-11-Great British Circus
ONE of the UK’s last circuses to use wild animals will arrive at Dial Post tomorrow (Tuesday).
The Great British Circus features lions, tigers, camels and zebras, among others, and will perform a number of shows at the West Sussex Showground from June 7 to June 19.
The impending visit has generated serious concern among members of the public as well as wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation, which is based in Horsham.
Will Travers, CEO of the Born Free Foundation, said: “The use of these animals is highly controversial, with the great majority of the public calling for an end to such a spectacle. Over 94 per cent of those who responded to a public consultation called for an end to the use of wild animals in circuses. The circus industry, however, remains defiant in the face of such public opinion, belittling and ignoring the justifiable concerns of many worried citizens.”
The Born Free Foundation has long campaigned for a ban to be implemented on the use of wild animals in circuses and believes that it would be the only humane and sensible approach.
Mr Travers added: “We believe that the UK’s continued failure to ban the outdated practice of using wild animals in circuses, whilst many countries have already done so, undermines the UK’s international reputation on animal welfare. We are calling on the Coalition Government to listen to the people, not look for excuses, and implement a ban.”
Mr Travers is also urging the public to think twice before buying tickets to the event.
“We urge the local people to think very carefully before spending their leisure time and hard-earned money at a circus that uses wild animals. A trip to such a circus may be a brief moment of fantasy for us but represents just one more day in a lifetime of confinement for the animals involved, with sporadic access to “exercise” cages, repeated transport and lengthy housing in off-view winter quarters.”
The Great British Circus’ website insists it goes to great lengths to ensure the best care for its animals.
It says: “The Great British Circus provides the best and most practical accommodation for our animals. We construct purpose built, state of the art, travelling accommodation and ensure all our livestock is gently and patiently trained using positive reinforcement. We ensure the animals’ diet is wholesome, varied and nutritious. With a network of four experienced veterinary surgeons, blanket health care is possible around the country.”
What do you think? Email ct.news@sussexnewspapers.co.uk.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 13 comments to this article
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Circus The Truth
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 05:42 PMLook no further than Circus the Truth on Facebook: http:www.facebook.comhome.php?sk=group_117077661707130
Taxed
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 09:29 PMClearly these comments are from vested interests. Curious that no-one is actually making the other case, yet they still keep coming....
AmandaSandow
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 08:53 PMI work in the circus industry,and i have the pleasure of owning two very intelligent and beautiful horses.There welfare there quality of life are the most important issue here,as with all animals that live in the enviroment surrounding Circus Life....The stabling,the exercise paddocks and general welfare of animals are paramount in this modern day age,our animals are our life and our culture.The hate campaign by animal rights activists, towards people that love and dedicate there life to there animals, is a utter disgrace,they are violent and abusive and we have had enough of there disgusting attitude to our british public....We are delighted with the new tough regulations brought in by this goverment,its what we in the industry have been waiting for,for way too long,We have always had excellent conditions for our beloved animals,but perhaps now the british public can see for them selves our high standards of animal husbandry.....Im very proud of what i do,and very proud of my animals,and there wonderful condition and there stable managment...We have nothing to hide,Animal welfare yes, ..But Animal Rights NO.....LONG LIVE WELL KEPT AND HAPPY ANIMALS IN THE CIRCUS.....
shaun bailey-kelly
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 07:49 PMlike many others i dont understand why these animal rights protestors can do what they do and are determind to not only ruin peoples lives but destroy the history we are lucky to have with circuses,i have a few questions to put to anyone against animals in circuses that are reading this: 1.have you actually looked at the genuine info and facts on circus animals or just relying on the animal rights protestors? 2. they have regular vet checks by fully qualified vets of the highest standard to ensure they are in perfect health and show no signs of distress or stress. 3. all circuses welcome any inspection at anytime, thus being 100% open and if there was any truth in the claims made by animal rights protestors why would circuses do that? 4. circus animal owners regard they're animals as they're children and want to ensure they are looked after to the highest standard. there is hard scientific proof that circuses are good for the animals,some circuses even have breeding schemes to help boost rare breeds. there has been numerous polls conducted by animal rights protestors which have since been discredited as falsely compiled,all i would ask is that before anyone choose to have an opinion on the use of circus animals in circuses they do as much fact finding as they can and make sure they have acurate facts first a lot of which can be found on circus the truth page via facebook these animal rights and welfare groups like PETA are out to line their own pockets not fight for the welfare of animals thus twist much info to fit their own needs
andrew lewis
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 07:18 PMThe only reason having animals in a circus is called controversial is because people like Will Travers think it is wrong and try to whip up a public backlash against the circus industry. As someone who spends quite a fair amount of time with the Great British Circus and others around the UK, i have to say animal welfare and husbandry standards in British circuses are excellent. Experts who have inspected circuses for DEFRA state that circuses are more than capable of providing for their animals and there is no justification in a ban. The RSPCA report conducted for them by Dr Marthe Kiley-Worthington also concluded that circuses by their nature were not cruel. We all know the so called public consultation Mr Travers refers to, is nothing but a joke. An online survey open to multiple voting and votes from overseas people, conducted over a December to March period when circuses are off the road and not in contact with their true supporters ie the people weekly who support the shows up and down the country. 10.000 replies and probably mainly from animal rights groups out of an estimated 60 million population, hardly public opinion for a ban! I would suggest to the locals, dont think twice about buying a ticket. Think only once and buy your tickets. See for yourself the love care and dedication that the animals recieve and see the living and exercise quarters for yourself. The circus has nothing to hide. Its on public view 247. I wonder how many animals Born Free have ceased from cruel circuses and had to rehome? Regulation may not be popular with Born Free, but with Government and the circus it is. Why should circus animals be banned. What actually has circus done wrong! One animal trainer in the last 40 years has been in court. Regulation is the way to go, its the way forward. Regulation will safeguard the animals, safeguard the hertiage of traditional circus and show the public that circus is and can care for its animals properly.
Taxed
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 06:01 PMMore debate than usual here, possibly not from locals but still good to see. Horsham is the home of the RSPCA of course.
JolyonJamieson
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 03:11 PMI agree with Terry. Britains got talent gets all sorts of animal acts. everyone loves them. The military use them in tatoos etc. All for entertainment. Why should circuses be treated so badly when there are animals in use everywhere. The average dog owner will teach his dog to sit, walk to heel, play dead etc. Is that considered cruel. Of course not.
TerryBunton
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 01:58 PMWhy is it ok too have performing animals on Britains got talent every week (and its NOT just dogs),yet not in the circus ring. Whats the difference NONE. There is nothing wrong with training animals in a team with humans it promotes MORE understanding of animals so is a good thing. But the double standards in this a so called democratic counrty apall normal people ie those not in animal rights campaigns.
TerryBunton
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 01:01 PMthe animal welfare of circuses is now second to none. Training is gentle choreagraphed routines based on the animakls natural movements with positive reinforcement,exercise areas are very large and there is a lot of deliberately emotive hysteria for subscription gathering animal rights organizations who are money orientated and dont actually give a damn about real animal welfare as thier agenda states they want an end to ALL human interaction with animals regardless of standards and that goes right down the line through zoos equine events and even (they hope) eventually to pet ownership).If anyone is concerned about how circus animals are looked after just look up on facebook thecircusthetruth page and you WILL be surprised .THe Born Free foundation was founded by Virginia Makkenna who was an actress who toook a lead role in the film Born Free about the lion Elsa. She didnt just walk into the Serengeti with wild lions the animals in the film were all trained .Hows that for the double standards of the organization.People are getting highly fed up of being told what to see where to go what to eat etc by politically correct organizations that do not really know what they are talking about but are happy to rake in the money with their emotive rhetoric. Its about time they were looked into,not hard working animal caring tax paying genuine circus people.
Steve Jacks
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 11:42 AMPeople in doubt should check out for themselves. The animals in this show are well cared for, perform to show off their natural capabilities and are treated well. I have seen this show many times and have no concerns at all. I am looking forward to seeing the show again soon whilst it visits here.
JolyonJamieson
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 10:16 AMAs a Friend of circuses I have visited many circuses, both in the UK, and in Europe. Over the last 20 years the conditions in which animals are kept have improved considerably. All these improvements have been in consultation, or on advice, from DEFRA and various animal protection agencies. DEFRA is aloso bringing in extra regulations in order to ensure the wellbeing of these animals. The various circuses with animals welcome these regulations, and are willing to be inspected at any time by DEFRA and local authorities. This happens regularly. Unfortunately organisations like Born Free foundation, although often well meaning do not actually visit the circuses etc to discuss things with the owners and trainers. They just use circus as a soft target to help their fund raising.
Chris Barltrop
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 08:41 AMI am a member of the circus community. In regulating circuses, the government is responding to the findings of DEFRA's long-term research and inspections of circuses. This has verified that circuses can look after animals properly. It is the circuses themselves which have asked for Regulation - it will prove that we do meet a high standard. Regulation will also allow any rogue individual (such as the elephant-beating moron we saw recently on film) to be dealt with, as the circus community would themselves wish. Since high standards are a proven fact, there is no justification for the continuing anti-circus claims of campaign organisations. Circus animals are 'wild' in legal terms, but not in fact; the tigers at the Great British Circus are 7th-generation 'captive-bred', so have known no other life. The government has made a positive move in imposing Regulation; it will protect the animals and will thus help preserve the cultural amenity of the Classical circus.
Chris Barltrop
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 08:30 AMI am a member of the circus community. In regulating circuses, the government is responding to the findings of DEFRA's long-term research and inspections of circuses. This has verified that circuses can look after animals properly. It is the circuses themselves which have asked for Regulation - it will prove that we do meet a high standard. Regulation will also allow any rogue individual (such as the elephant-beating moron we saw recently on film) to be dealt with, as the circus community would themselves wish. Since high standards are a proven fact, there is no justification for the continuing anti-circus claims of campaign organisations. Circus animals are 'wild' in legal terms, but not in fact; the tigers at the Great British Circus are 7th-generation 'captive-bred', so have known no other life. The government has made a positive move in imposing Regulation; it will protect the animals and will thus help preserve the cultural amenity of the Classical circus.
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