Circus keeper fired for cruelty on film
A GRIMSBY animal lover is calling for travelling circuses featuring exotic animals to be banned, after footage of a former Great British Circus keeper mistreating elephants was released.
This video was originally posted by Animals Defenders International (ADI) on YouTube, who claim it appears to show elephants in the Great British Circus being hit in the face.
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Elephants enjoy the sun in a previous visit to Lincolnshire.
They also claim to see the animals being kept chained and confined to their transport vehicle for up to 11 hours a day, and displaying disturbed behaviour.
Grimsby resident, Sean Atkinson, has attended protests when the circus visited Louth and Grimsby in April – arguing that circuses which house exotic animals are inhumane.
He said: "It's terrible to see this footage."
He added he believed that such circuses should be banned, claiming he felt animals being transported for slaughter were protected by more legislation.
He said: "I can't see any way to transport large wild animals humanely."
According to national reports, circus spokesman Chris Barltrop condemned the behaviour of the ex-employee, saying he had been sacked after being found hitting the animals and describing his actions as "insupportable and completely wrong".
He added that his animals spend only about three hours a fortnight in transporters, before spending time in "roomy accommodation" such as tents and paddocks.
For more comments from both parties, see today's Grimsby Telegraph.
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by Mandy, Cleethorpes
Tuesday, September 22 2009, 8:56AM
“I have to say, i have taken my kids to The British circus when it has come here but i have to admit, i did always have a bad feeling in my gut about it, and now after seeing the footage i wont be going any more, Russells International circus goes next to Pennells garden centre, we visited that recently, not only was the circus of a much higher standard to the British one, it didnt use animals and the Human acts were very impressive, when i asked my kids what they prefered, they told me they like the all human show best, so from now on we will wait for Russells to come.”
by Mark Atkinson, lincolnshire
Friday, August 28 2009, 4:24PM
“I would like to point out that 3 people in the video are carrying out the abuse and one of them is the actual elephants so called owner Lars Holscher
"come on telegraph" Only one sacked, do some investagating its all there.”
by Matt, Grimsby
Wednesday, August 26 2009, 11:46AM
“That little picture on the right of elephants: "Elephants enjoy the sun in a previous visit to Lincolnshire." Wake up Telegraph and grow a pair! Other news papers seem to be able to do it.”
by Lucy, grimsby
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 2:12PM
“Well Mr Lacey has blown it now, i've taken my family to the circus once in 2004 yes they did enjoy it, i myself was'nt that impressed . So it looks like the circus might be out of town for a while now.”
by Metal Giant, Everywhere
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 1:34PM
“* Animals are not and should not be treat as property. This applies to human and non-human animals alike.
* The extinction of species is a natural part of evolution.
* Humans are wonderful, talented, creative creatures by themselves, they can consent to being part of a circus, and have more than enough ingenuity to keep circuses going without the 'need' for non-human animal enslavement.
* Banning anything will fail. People need to wake up and use informed choice as a weapon.
I do not visit circuses that use animals for entertainment.”