IN reply to Martin Lacey, I have attended peaceful and law-abiding anti-animal circus protests on several occasions.

I have only seen a group of good-natured individuals, supporters of such diverse organisations as Animal Aid, Animal Defenders International, Captive Animals Protection Society, World Society for the Protection of Animals, the World Wildlife Fund and the RSPCA.

What brings such people together is their concern for the welfare of performing animals and the condition in which they are kept, trained and transported.

The only bad behaviour I have ever witnessed was on one occasion when a small group of animal circus supporters verbally abused and threatened some protesters.

For this reason I know many protesters welcome a police presence.

Mr Lacey is presumptuous in his assertion that I have not read the Department of Food and Rural Affairs reports. I have indeed done so and have also read the submissions and concerns over its limited terms of reference.

No objective person could possibly read all the accumulated scientific, psychological and physical evidence of the effects of circus life on performing animals without coming to the conclusion that it is not conducive to their welfare.

Common sense and human decency will eventually prevail over the use of performing animals in circuses, just as it has with other abuses of animals in the past which were tolerated at the time.

It is just a matter of when, but for some animals it could be too late.

Dr D Wedlake, (address supplied).

Editor's note: The circus has prompted a huge response, with all arguments and sides being given the opportunity to comment. This subject is now closed.