Is the circus a family show or a breach of animal rights?
THE use of animals in circus shows will always attract controversy and The Great British Circus, which is currently running shows from its Big Top camp, near Laceby, is no stranger to it.
Protesters gather there nightly, the Government is discussing banning the use of wild animals in circuses and the travelling company, owned by Martin Lacey, has also been roundly criticised in a national newspaper.
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CONTROVERSIAL: Martin Lacey pictured with his tigers during The Great British Circus show, which is currently based near Laceby. Pictures: Rick Byrne
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OPPOSITION: Protesters, from left, Lewis Campbell, Paul Stringer, Holly Carmichael, Abi Sheriden and Abby Pidgen outside the circus, near Laceby.
A reporter for the Sunday Express has described it as "one of the grimmest shows in Britain" with a "tatty Big Top" and claimed that animals are being kept in cages measuring 20ft long by 15ft wide.
However, Mr Lacey, 68, the circus owner and ringmaster, strongly insists his animals are treated with love and care and they pass regular inspections by vets and the Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (Defra).
Plenty of our readers say they are happy to go and enjoy the show, adding that they are keen for their children to see exotic wildlife up close and that Mr Lacey is only making a living.
The issue has been catapulted back into the national consciousness after an elderly circus elephant with arthritis, called Anne, was filmed by an animal rights group being abused by her groom at the Bobby Roberts Super Circus.
She has since been successfully moved to a new home at a safari park.
Following the national coverage of Anne's plight, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has revealed she is "minded" to outlaw the use of elephants, tigers, lions and other exotic creatures in travelling shows.
The proposed policy is also said to have the support of the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
However, a spokesman for Defra declined to comment on the newspaper reports and said the department was looking at the legal implications of a ban.
He said: "There was a consultation that closed this time last year and we are looking at what to do about it, and whether wild animals could be banned."
A protester, who has been picketing outside the circus for the past week but did not want to be named, said the Government discussions were a "major step forward".
He said: "Until the ban has been passed by the Government, we will carry on protesting against animals in cages."
Although Mr Lacey didn't want to comment on the national reports himself, a spokesman for The Great British Circus said the whole issue had been turned into a "witch hunt".
He said: "The fact remains that in other countries there is a totally different approach to the subject. Circuses are governed by criteria laid down by legislation. Any circus not meeting that criteria is dealt with individually but the industry as a whole is not punished.
"Is the medical professional condemned because of the actions of one or two individuals? No. Neither is the police force, the media, farming, dog breeding or horse racing. So, why pick on a circus?"
What do you think?
E-mail newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
42 Comments
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by hubby, Hubbardsville
Wednesday, April 13 2011, 10:51AM
“Todgers roaming free, Megi ? It doesn't bear thinking about.”
by Megi, formerly Megis
Tuesday, April 12 2011, 2:23PM
“No but I mean do fish say have diffrent rites to like lions & togers all roamin free ?”
by Megi, formerly Megis
Monday, April 11 2011, 11:42AM
“No but don't we need to say what their rites are for them ?
No but do we dough ?
No but dey can't, candy dough ?
Or how do we know we've breached 'em dough ?
No but do we dough ?”
by Megi, formerly Megis
Monday, April 11 2011, 12:36AM
“No but is it a breach of their rites though ?
No but is it though ?”
by alun, Immingham
Monday, April 11 2011, 12:34AM
“Ooops.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qDg9Cr_GJA”
by Alun, Immingham
Monday, April 11 2011, 12:28AM
“These animal humans (below) perform because they want to, they seek rewards and can stop performing any time they want.
This is a real circus without a single "animal." Perhaps if you think of some intelligent animals as being sentient they may not "enjoy" performing. We've been lucky to go to three different themed cirque du solei and have always been blown away by the magnificent show and music.....our kids have always been spellbound. Even Jane would be impressed perhaps!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKGBkc77sDw
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smkiSJf2cH
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Spot the horse next..........
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smkiSJf2cH
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I wonder if Lady Gaga was influenced by Alegria to write Alejandro LOL
But my point is, animals are clearly not needed in a quality circus AT ALL. Every ones a winner at Cirque du solei....I bet not one kid asks where are the animals!”
by Age 20, Grimsby
Sunday, April 10 2011, 10:59PM
“I am from the circus demo, I would like to thank the people from Grimsby for support on our demo. It is great to know we have local people behind us, its also good to know that people have voted with there feet this year, The circus numbers are down from year gone by. I hope full in saying this was the last circus demo, I hope we get the ban that is long over due. Lets hope the future brings more circus days that a all animal free.”
by KJM, Grimsby
Sunday, April 10 2011, 9:49PM
“I want to thank the circus protestors for putting in the effort to stand night after night attempting to discourage the public from visiting. I have discussed with my kids, aged 16 and 14, from being tiny that animals are creatures to be in awe of and to respect (whether an elephant or a cat) and that, for me at least they are at their best roaming free and not in zoos or circuses. They are now free to make their own minds up and, I'm pleased to say, share my thoughts on the matter. All the protesters are doing is trying to educate the general public, just as I did my kids. We should be thankful that some people are prepared to give up their time to fight for a cause they truly believe in. I am not a vegetarian, vegan, animal rights activist, I have no pets, and have no hang ups about horse racing. I am just a mum who likes to listen to both sides of a story before making my own mind up.”
by VampireJack, Grimsby
Sunday, April 10 2011, 2:34PM
“Oh, and before someone pops in with the whole "plants have feelings too" thing.
That has been proved, then disproved on several occasions.
Just remember that the guy who started it with a Hindu who was trying to prove his belief system was right, he also claimed that plants and humans can communicate telepathically and that metal feels pain and has a memory just like we do.
So, make what you will of his "proof".
Just thought I would cover that before some smart-ass comments.”
by VampireJack, Grimsby
Sunday, April 10 2011, 2:29PM
“Ha Ha! Eat a nice burger. Hilarious.
Truly original - I'm sure all the vegans of the world have never heard that one before! :)
I think I shall have a nice lentil burger and salad later - as obviously that's all we eat...
I expect most "true" vegans have a much wider culinary repertoire than the majority of big-men meat eaters.
A true vegan wouldn't keep pets?
Actually, a vegan is someone who chooses not to eat/wear/harm another animal in a deliberate manner - someone who respects other forms of life; yes we may accidentally step on ants while walking, yes we may accidentally kill worms while digging soil to grow our soy beans, yes we may accidentally hit hedgehogs while driving our hippy-mobiles, but there is the difference.Accidents do happen - this is life. It's not done INTENTIONALLY just so we can eat them, and I'm sure that most vegans are a lot more careful in general day to day life to make sure they don't do these things - as there is always the usual muppet who is looking for a way to say "HYPOCRITE!" These people should be more concerned about their own lives than ours. And yes, when our vegetables are dug up from farmers fields there will be some mice who get killed in the process due to the heavy machinery - but again it's not a deliberate thing like FACTORY FARMING when the animal has NO CHANCE OF ESCAPING an HORRIFIC life. Many vegans keep "companion" animals, as a way to keep them safe from harm. They are NOT beaten into submission to perform silly party tricks, or trained to attack other dogs as a way to show MACHISMO.
Over the years I have heard from many people "I could never be vegan/vegetarian - I like meat too much" . but when questioned whether they could actually "kill" the animal themselves.....um,no, gross. Well, if you can't look the animal in the eye and slaughter it yourself you shouldn't eat them. Oh, and for all you commited meat-eaters - would you still eat the cows if they could speak english and beg for you no to kill them as they would die in agony? Because they can't speak our language it makes it much easier to sleep at night.
For all those who support the demonstrators, and our noble brothers (yawn, and sisters!) at the ALF - PEACE.
For all the haters : I hope one day you a dropped naked into a cold wilderness, with no weapons and are hunted by Wolves. Then you will find out that we are NOT top of the food chain - and we are NOT natural meat eating predators. We don't have the fast legs to hunt. We don't have the claws or talons to rip the flesh of the wolves. And we don't have canine teeth or razor sharp beaks of the eagle to rip the flesh of live animals. Wolves do have the jaws necessary - compare their teeth to ours and then claim we have canine teeth.
Oh, and if eating meat is so natural why does the animal have to be killed, cut up and cooked before it's safe for you to eat?
Get yourself some fresh lamb chops, covered in blood and try eating it raw. Then get yourself to casualty....
Or perhaps try pouncing on a cow and see how far you get with man-made weapons to kill it before it kicks YOU to death.
A quick note, I don't really want you to be dropped into a pack of wolves - that would be cruel to a truly weak animal who really cannot defend itself against REAL predators. Hell, even I'm not that cruel.”