Protesters call for circus animal ban
THE Great British Circus has rolled into Grimsby – with a roar of opposition from protesters.
The trumpet of elephants, which are part of the 12-day circus show, were matched by continuous honking of horns from motorists backing the protesters.
They gathered at the entrance to the circus show on Laceby Road, next to Morrisons in Grimsby urging drivers to sound their horns in support of the call to stop using animals in circuses.
Protester Mark Atkinson said: "We say 'yes' to circuses but 'no' to using animals in the shows.
"Being a juggler with the Earthbound Misfits I see just as much entertainment in circus skills.
"We object to the fact the animals are in cages and they spend so much time on the road."
However, dad, Jason New, of Cleethorpes was pleased to take his son Ben, four, to his first circus show.
He said: "We have come to see the animals. It's our first time. He can't wait to see the tigers."
Spokesman for The Great British circus, Bernard Bale, said inspectors from The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had approved the standard of care for animals in the circus.
Mr Bale added: "This is a touring celebration of the wonders of wildlife.
"The Defra report said circus animals were in better physical and mental health because they were active and experiencing new things everyday."
For more arguments from all sides of the debate, check out today's Grimsby Telegraph.
What do you think? Let us know by commenting on this story or emailing newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
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by Angela, Grimsby
Saturday, April 17 2010, 7:18PM
“Just in case anyone is still reading this message board, I went to meet the Sheffield animal rights people today, they were in town again protesting at Jungle Zoo. All I can say is that those people on here who have branded them as hooligans who engage in anti social behaviour are obviously on something. They were using a megaphone to broadcast facts about the animals in the zoo to passers by but not in a threatening or frightening manner. Basically, a really nice and polite bunch of young people and again most of them working in professional fields. I suppose slander is a good way justifying yourselves animal abusers, if you slur the opposition then you think it makes you look better.”
by circuslover, kent
Tuesday, April 13 2010, 10:12PM
“I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE CIRCUS FANS FOR THERE SUPPORT AND A BIG THANK YOU TO ARTHUR BRAIN OUR LEGAL EAGLE SEE YOU ALL BACK AT HQ”
by Grim, Grimsby
Tuesday, April 13 2010, 10:06PM
“Now circus lover frank has a very good point. You sound like a circus fan with too much time to post comments on here. it also seems to me you don't want to hear the truth.
By the way I don't supports animals been in a circus or support the people out side. I just like to sit on the fence and get a saw bum.”
by Some one, Grimsby
Tuesday, April 13 2010, 8:56PM
“Circus lover Kent:
May be this is a good point, but may I say how you seem very unsure about what you saying as you don't know the name of the circus. As for what the vet said he could be a circus vet of part of the circus. May be in case the animal was ill when it was moving and then it looks ill. Also a good question was this in the UK?
Also don't forget the facts that 95% of UK people would support a ban on animals been used in a circus.
I would also like to take the time to thank people of Grimsby for thinking before you went to the circus as not many people went. This shows that people of Grimsby are trying to tell the circus some think and they have been voting by foot.”
by circuslover, kent
Tuesday, April 13 2010, 8:43PM
“IN YOUR DREAMS FRANK”