Circus defends use of wild animals
Circus defends use of wild animals
A CIRCUS owner has defended his right to use wild animals in his production's performances after a global animal welfare group publicly called for residents to boycott the spectacle. Peter Jolly's Circus is set to perform every evening between Thursday, October 3 to Sunday, October 6 in Crakemarsh, near Uttoxeter but Animal Defenders International (ADI) are “urging” members of the community to “shun” the show due to its use of wild animals. Owner Peter Jolly told the Times and Echo: “I am licensed by the Secretary of State and have three inspections a year; two announced, one unannounced.
“I also have four inspections by my lead vet.”
When asked to confirm whether the circus contains wild animals, Mr Jolly answered: “Yes, we have a camel, zebra, fox, llamas and those kind of animals.”
Mr Jolly’s comments come after ADI called on “locals to avoid Peter Jolly’s Circus whilst it performs in Uttoxeter” as the “circus is one of two which still feature wild animal acts,” branding this as “an outdated practice which is overwhelmingly opposed by the public and animal experts.”
Jan Creamer, President of Animal Defenders International, said: “Animal Defenders International has repeatedly documented the suffering and abuse of animals in circuses.
“Circuses simply cannot meet the needs of animals in small, mobile accommodation.
“You can help stop the suffering – don’t go to a circus with animals.”
In response to this, Mr Jolly stated: “People need to come down and look for themselves and not believe the propaganda these groups create.”
ADI claim that a law which will see the banning of “wild animals acts” in England will come into effect in January 2020.
A spokesperson for ADI said: “46 countries around the world have introduced prohibitions on animals in circuses to date.
“In the UK, the Scottish Government has passed a ban on wild animal acts, the first nation in the UK to do so.
“England has now passed legislation, effective January 2020, and Wales is set to bring in a similar ban.”
Mr Jolly refuted that this was “set in stone” and that he believes “nobody knows what the government is going to do.”
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