Circus keeper fired for cruelty on film

By [dclough]

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.

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.