Animal rights groups up in arms as circus comes to town
A CIRCUS featuring elephants and tigers has been slammed by animal protection groups as the big top heads to Manby.
The Great British Circus will be at Manby showground from today (Wednesday) until March 29 featuring an African elephant, two Indian elephants as well as lions, tigers – including a white tiger, horses, ponies, llamas, reindeer, camels and zebras.
The elephants are new to this year's tour and have sparked complaints from The Captive Animals Protection Society and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals organisation.
Craig Redmond, Campaigns Director for CAPS said: "Three years ago the government signalled it would ban the use of some animals in circuses but has failed to act yet.
"Numerous animal experts have condemned the use of animals in circuses and the world's leading elephant experts oppose the inclusion of elephants in the shows too. We strongly urge the public to avoid this circus and wait for one of the many excellent all-human shows to visit town."
PETA are also campaigning for people not to support the circus.
The organisation's Europe Director Robbie Le Blanc said: "Unlike trapeze artists, jugglers, fire-eaters and clowns, elephants don't choose to be in the circus. They are never allowed to go back to their families or homes."
But ringmaster and Great British Circus Director Martin Lacey said his animals are regularly inspected to pass certain conditions for licences to be approved including issues relating to the welfare of animals.
He told the Target: "At the end of 2007 Defra produced a report which showed circuses are capable of meeting the welfare needs of animals in their care.
"I do no have any time for these groups and their spurious allegations.
"The only reason we have animals is because people vote with their feet to support us."
The show has been to Newark and Scunthorpe, and will feature in Skegness following the dates in Manby.
11 Comments
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by lou, grimsy
Thursday, April 09 2009, 8:26AM
“were attended last nights show in grimsby. knowing full well what goes on but to let the kids see the elephants we gave in.
now agreeing with the protesters, but not agreeing with how the harrassed us in the que and upsetting the small children.
the show was sad and went wrong when the tigers started playing and the tiger woman started beating the tiger with a large stick 9 at least half a dozen) hard whacks, this discust the audience and upset the kids,so we wont give in again and wont be going to anymore animal circuses ...”
by Ryan, Grimsby
Monday, March 30 2009, 10:10AM
“Thank you we are trying to get rid of them from here.
Thank you for your support.”
by John, Scotland
Tuesday, March 24 2009, 12:38AM
“I have campaigned against the use of animals in ciircuses for Animal Concern for near 30 years. Even the very best circus can offer animals no more than a basic, boring and depressive life. The worst circuses subject animals to a living hell.”
by deb, hull
Monday, March 23 2009, 9:23PM
“its time for selfish human being to open there eyes to the world, STOP USING AND TREATING ANIMALS as if we own them WE DONT”
by Bev Hill, Wales uk
Friday, March 20 2009, 1:02PM
“It is about time that the circus realise that people do not want to see animals treated in this way have humans do it there are plenty of human circus acts without having these animals treated in this barbaric way they should be in an animal santuary with thier own kind these animals are not for the pleasure of humans this went out with the ark”
by Gwen Ware, London
Friday, March 20 2009, 9:47AM
“The public doesn't see the immense cruelty that has gone in to training wild animals to perform, and the wretched conditions in which most of them travel and spend their lives. For such animals to be kept in small cages is cruelty in itself. Circuses using performing animals should be boycotted - after all, if the money dries (which is what it is all about) - so will the circuses. It is up to the public...the law is useless.”
by Helen Green, Hull
Thursday, March 19 2009, 9:38PM
“I totaly agree with all that has been said in the comments above.
All circuses should be banned from using any animals, the sooner the better, how Martin Lacey can claim to be an animal lover is unbelievable.”
by Cris, Out in the sticks
Thursday, March 19 2009, 9:30PM
“Elephants normally are on the move 20 hours out of 24. They are comparable in intelligence to humans and are not suited with respect to behaviour or physical needs to a travelling circus. It's evident now that circuses train by coercion using heavy sticks and sharp points. Lets not forget that Chipperfield woman who was filmed beating the daylights out of a performing chimp. Animals in circuses are a part of history certain people should be ashamed of.”
by M. Williams, Surrey
Thursday, March 19 2009, 8:52PM
“If the animals are so happy, why don't the owners of the circus prove it by living under the same conditions they impose on the animals for a month of two -if they lasted that long. This is all about money and I hope the good people of Manby show the circus owners what they think by not going to this Theatre of Cruelty.”
by Kathy Musker, cheshire
Thursday, March 19 2009, 12:11PM
“It is not just 'animal rights' groups who think this is abhorrent. Surely anyone with an ounce of common sense can see this is not right. I would not class the RSPCA as an animal rights group yet they clearly state they are against ALL animal circus's. On recent news programmes these elephants were stereotypically swaying like confined stressed animals do. Only those with financial gain to make think this is acceptable. Those who campaign against this cruelty have no financial gain to make, what they do have is compassiona and decency. Don't allow your children to see such perverted 'entertainment'. For your few minutes of fun these animals live a life of misery. SHAMEON MARTIN LACEY AND THIS ARCHIAC CIRCUS, get some talented human performers!”