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Animal circus no longer coming to town
Ruth Bloomfield15.01.09
CIRCUSES that use wild animals are set to be banned by a London borough.
Wandsworth is expected to agree to the move after considering evidence from the RSPCA, which believes the animals endure unacceptable stress and suffering.
A draft report recommends a ban. A final decision is expected in spring. The RSPCA says circuses in Britain still use scores of wild animals including elephants, zebras, lions, snakes, tigers, camels, kangaroos and crocodiles.
At present, Wandsworth allows the animals to appear in parks and open spaces, which include Tooting and Wandsworth Commons. The exception is Battersea Park, which used to be owned by the GLC.
But the report, written by the council's leisure chief, urges councillors to extend the ban: "The RSPCA believes the circus is no place for an animal. The lack of regulation of the circus industry ... leads me to recommend council policy be revised to remove the ambiguity of there being a ban in Battersea Park, but not in the borough's other parks."
A spokeswoman for the RSPCA added: "No intelligent person finds entertainment from watching an elephant sitting on a stool or a tiger roaring on command."
However, Malcolm Clays, secretary of the Association of Circus Proprietors, said: "There is a lot of demand for circuses with performing animals. There is no evidence that training animals is cruel."
Reader views (5)
yep circuses that use wild animals should not be supported by decent intellegent adults , just like wearing fur, vintage or not and then the other end of the spectrum that is dog fighting carried out and watched by abusers, these animals are not ours to be used for our entertainment, its the 21st century and its about time we gave gods creatures a break,. Wandsworth has no choice but to ban these animal spectacles its the only right thing to do, its basically animal slavery and not to be tolerated.
- Sean O'Leary, Walthamstow London
I must admit, although there are circuses where the animals are very well maintained - better than in the wild, even - I would prefer everyone to rest content seeing them in the wild, on TV. We're content to see the rest of the world that way . . .
- Roz, Chamonix, France
Great news! I hope all other boroughs across the UK follow suit and consign these shows to history, where they belong.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
CIRCUSES that use wild animals are set to be banned by a London borough??? So how about using tame trained animals then? or is it only people that can entertain and animals are to be eaten?
- Mike Tally, Surrey, London
These people make me sick ! I used to work in a circus and I can tell you honestly that the animals are well fed, well looked after and actually enjoy performing.
For those 'bright sparks' amongst you .. no, the animals didn't actually tell me, voice-wise - but animals do smile and show reactions and when they are not very well or are fed up - they do tell the keepers one way or another.
- Kathy Doyle, London
