Legal move to ban wild animals in travelling circuses welcomed
PROMISED Government legislation to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses has been welcomed by local animal rights protestors.
With the Big Top Productions circus currently pitched on Laceby Road, Grimsby, protestor Sean Atkinson believes the legislation "should have been here sooner".
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Making a stand: Animal rights protestors try to get their point across to visitors to the circus, currently on land next to the Morrisons supermarket, near Laceby.
The government has promised the ban will come into force "at the earliest opportunity", and until then, a tougher licensing system will be implemented.
In a written parliamentary statement, Animal Welfare minister Lord Taylor, said: "We have said many times we wanted to ban this outdated practice, but before we could do that there were serious legal issues we had to consider.
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"We are developing proposals to introduce a bill as soon as parliamentary time allows.
"In the meantime we are introducing a Circus Licensing Scheme to ensure decent conditions for wild animals in travelling circuses."
The calls for a ban increased following revelations in the national press of the mistreatment of an elephant, Anne, at a different circus, last year.
A consultation on welfare licences has been launched and the regulations are expected to come into force by the summer.
Anyone responsible for a travelling circus that uses wild animals in a performance will need to hold a valid licence, meet welfare standards and have a retirement plan for each animal.
They will also need to provide proper accommodation, full veterinary care, a good diet and high welfare standards during training and performances.
A government-appointed inspector, paid for by the circuses, will ensure rules are met, officials said.
Between 35 and 50 wild animals are believed to be working in circuses.
Mr Atkinson added: "Large wild animals walk for hundreds of miles in their natural environment, and they can't do this being caged.
"Even with the circus owners' best will, the animals are not getting enough exercise nor the correct lifestyle.
"They are large majestic animals, and it is in their genetic coding to walk large distances."
He also claimed it was "outdated" to have wild animals in the circus ring.
Martin Lacey, owner of Big Top Productions, said: "The show puts animal welfare at the very top of its priorities.
"Animals come first at all times, and their needs are met well before those of any humans.
"Leading professionals such as veterinary surgeons and animal behaviourists, visit the show regularly and often unannounced.
"They have never yet found anything that was below par.
"The public come because they want to see animals up close, happy and in good health.
"If the public is not happy with what is seen they don't come back, it is as simple as that."
The Big Top Productions circus is on Laceby Road until Saturday, April 14.
Call 07947 441166 for show times and to book.
Comments
by Busy_man
Saturday, April 14 2012, 1:36AM
“As the circus is coming to close. I would like every one for the support for ban on animal circus this year has been great. Its great to see the public of Grimsby voting my foot and not picking an animal circus for a night out. the end is in sight and I am like think the circus will see this, but some how I think not.
Bye for now Great British Circus. "please don't call again"”
by Mike__Hunt
Sunday, April 08 2012, 9:26AM
“eboneeza.
Enjoy your nut cutlet for Sunday lunch. Just preparing a large juicy steak. Yum Yum.
PS your profile picture is interesting.”
by GYBusDriver
Saturday, April 07 2012, 7:25PM
“Busy_Man...
maybe you should read past the first line of my post before passing comment...
Anyway, we have wild animals... squirrels can be very vicious you know...”
by vikti
Saturday, April 07 2012, 11:51AM
“Puevigi, I can assure you that it is not autumn and it is definitely in this town. The picture was taken by a Telegraph photographer on Thursday evening. The location is the the pull in, (as you enter Morrisons it is on the right hand side of the mini roundabout), next to entrance gate to the field where the circus is located and where the car boots are held.
Well said Eboneeza yes we do all have a responsibility for those who do not have a voice.”
by eboneeza
Saturday, April 07 2012, 11:22AM
“Vikti, you can certainly take it that I will not be eating meat or any animal product on Sunday, as I am, have been raised, and have a belief system that doesnt support eating meat.
That aside, that doesnt mean that meat eaters and animal lovers do not have the right and responsibility to raise concerns about such transportation, whether off to slaughter or the circus.
We are all responsible for those who do not have a voice.”
by puevigi
Saturday, April 07 2012, 10:59AM
“has anyone taken a good look at the picture ?
it looks like autumn to me, and not even at this town !!”
by vikti
Saturday, April 07 2012, 10:38AM
“Mr Objective, your views seem to be anything but. Yes, there is lots of evidence of Martin Lacey abusing humans, evidence which clearly shows his temperament and illustrates the fact that he seems totally unable to control himself. Do you really think that someone so out of control will not display the same sort of anger towards his animals if they fail to perform in the way that he wants them to? But then of course people like you still believe that are made to do tricks as a result of the trainer whispering in their ear. And, yes he has quickly dismissed those who have been filmed abusing the animals but only to save his own reputation and only after the abuse has been made public, do you really believe he didn't know what was going on?
Eboneeza, I agree entirely with your views regarding the animals being transported in wagons for the meat market. As you rightly point out the Government will not act upon this, (or at least not yet maybe in future, more enlightened times they will), can we take it from your comments that you will not be contributing to this by tucking into your Easter roast on Sunday?”
by MrObjective
Saturday, April 07 2012, 1:16AM
“Actually, camels aren't really wild animals. They might be quite exotic to us here in the UK, but in their native lands they are pretty much domesticated. Particularly in the middle east, they regard camels as utility animals in the same way we view horses etc. And I can tell you now, camels in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the like get treated far worse than any circus animal... and mostly for the benefit of Western tourists.”
by Busy_man
Saturday, April 07 2012, 1:03AM
“Gy bus driver: Tigers Camels ect come under wild animals. you don't get wild animals in the UK. Why should people put the needs of them and family's before animals? people say "the animals look ok to me" of cause they look ok. its mental health of the animals the stress of the animals. If some ones get's ill in life you can say no and sleep. can the animals? I don't think so some how.”
by GYBusDriver
Saturday, April 07 2012, 12:25AM
“surely its only a wild animal if it's tasted the wild. If born and trained then it could not miss something it has never known.
Do not take that the wrong way please. I do not agree with caged animals and i don't feel the need to watch them cr*p in a large tent.
I do however agree that new animals should be prevented, 20, 30, 50 years ago you had only two places to see these animals, a travelling show or a safari to Africa. In 2012 you can turn on any TV channel and find a half wit with a camera narrating a lion shredding a zebra...”