Stop Circus Suffering

Animal groups unite in call to Prime Minister to stop circus suffering and back new circus bill

Animal groups work together to stop circus suffering in Britain

Mondao zebra

ADI, Animal Aid, British Veterinary Association, CAPS, Four Paws, One Kind, PETA, RSPCA and World Animal Protection have joined forces to call on the Prime Minister to end the suffering of wild animals in British circuses by supporting the new bill being introduced on September 3rd by Jim Fitzpatrick MP which seeks to end such acts ahead of the General Election.

In an open letter to the Prime Minister, spearheaded by ADI, the groups “call on the Government to support the Wild Animals in Circuses Bill….and ensure that sufficient time is made available for the provisions in the Bill to become law.” It concludes “In light of the Government’s renewed commitment on this issue, as well as your personal support, we hope that this Bill can be given the chance to become law ahead of the General Election, ensuring that the planned implementation date of 1 December 2015 is met.”

ADI President Jan Creamer, who is presently overseeing a rescue mission of wild circus animals in Peru following that country’s ban, said: “A ban on the use of wild animals in circuses is, as you would expect, widely supported by animal groups like ADI who wish to see an end to the suffering. The Prime Minister promised action and we hope he will give this new bill his full support, to enable legislation to be passed ahead of the election. It’s time for the Government to come good on its promise.”

The Government has repeatedly pledged to ban the use of wild animals in circuses since it announced it would prohibit such acts in 2012. The Government and Prime Minister claim to remain committed to the wild animal circus ban despite its omission from the Queen’s Speech. In April, the Prime Minister gave his word to an ADI deputation that “We’re going to do it” and in response to a joint letter presented by ADI and 75 celebrity supporters and MPs, David Cameron recently reiterated his commitment to ban what he calls an “outdated practice” in a personal letter to ADI.

The open letter to David Cameron from the nine organisations reminds the government that its own draft bill has been published and has already been reviewed by a Select Committee of MPs. Progress on the bill has however stalled, prompting the introduction of the new bill.  The Government’s own draft legislation notes “There is little or no educational, conservational, research or economic benefit derived from wild animals in travelling circuses that might justify their use and the loss of their ability to behave naturally as a wild animal.”

A delay in bringing in a ban has, as feared, seen the number of wild animal acts increase and the return of performing lions and tigers to Britain. Speaking out after the release of ADI footage of large cats touring with Peter Jolly’s Circus, one of just two circuses left with wild animal acts, wildlife vet Simon Adams statedthe limited space available in a travelling circus is unsuitable to big cats, as patrolling their large territories in the wild is an essential behavioural drive, thwarted by the limited confines of circus accommodation, no matter how hard the circus may try to accommodate them.”

Public support for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses has been consistently high for 15 years, with a Defra public consultation showing a resounding 94% of respondents supporting a ban on such acts.

27 countries worldwide have placed national restrictions on the use of animals in circuses, and over 200 local authorities in Britain have bans on the use of animals in circuses in place.

URGENT – PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY!

  • Urge your MP to support the 10 Minute Rule Motion: Wild Animals in Circuses
  • Sign our petition urging the Prime Minister to back the new bill (thousands have already signed via Care2)

Comments

  1. Lara · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    No more circus! Animals should live freely !!!

  2. paula osullivan · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    let the animals be free and stop abusing them

  3. marta szpalek · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    if i will see circus with animals where i can call? what to do?

    1. ADI Admin · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

      Hi Marta,
      If you see a circus coming to your area with wild animals, please call us at +44 (0)20 7630 3340 or you can email us at info@ad-international.org If you are in the US, you can call 323-935-2234 or email usa@ad-international.org.
      Thanks

  4. Simon Tempest · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    The gross spectacle of the circus’ performing animals has had its day.People no longer wish to see these prisoners ‘sing and dance’.

  5. tami dipirro · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    There is no need to use animals anymore for entertainment.POlease stop the suffering of these animals and free them.Thank you
    Tami Dipirro

  6. huguette vanswijgenhoven · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    no wildlive in a circus

  7. Jason Barnes · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    It’s time to stop this with TV and Internet we don’t need circuses to see wild animals. Circuses are out of date , time for a ban

  8. Robin Townsend · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Awareness has to begin to change what is happening to these beings. We have to be responsible for our actions and think of the big picture.

  9. patricia o'donnell · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please stop animal suffering by banning circuses which make the animals perform for people. They do not do it because they want to but because they are beaten into doing it.

    Please have a heart.

  10. Diana Barrowcliff · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please stop the animals suffering. They need to be free and live in their natural habitat. It is how God intended their lives to be.

  11. Indira · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please back the new bill & help stop animal cruelty.

  12. teri campbell · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please put an end to animal suffering and stop animal acts in circuses

  13. Vickie Mapp · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    They are not ours to abuse and torture for our entertainment or to make money….they bleed, suffer and feel pain and misery just like you and me and yours!!!!

  14. Nicola Massier-Dhillon · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    We no longer have public hangings or dancing bears. Why hasn’t this relic of medieval cruelty been relegated to the history books? Shame on you Britain for responding so late.

  15. Diane murphy · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please Ban All Animals From The Circus,,They Are Being Abused And Suffering in a Bad Way,,Don’t Let This Torture Go On,,Each Day For Them Is Agony,,And Sometimes They Die,,,Thank You, Diane Murphy,,,

  16. Véronique Borremans · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    No more circus with animals !!

  17. Kathy Grill · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    I do not live in the UK but I still support the banning of circuses. The circus used to be such an exciting event when I was a child, how broken my heart was when I became an adult and learned of the horrors those animals endured. It is our duty to reverse the pain and suffering we impose on others, human and animal. It is your duty as elected officials to look after all of your population and visitors. That includes the animals. You cannot proclaim yourself to be ‘successful’ or a ‘good leader’ if you ignore this call. Do the right thing and ban circuses immediately.

  18. ulla pade · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    stop Circus suffering

  19. Linda Norris · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Do the right thing for once and don’t backtrack on your promise to ban the use of animals in circuses!!!!

  20. Tapesh Lall · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Set the poor animals free. They should not not be made to suffer their lifetime for an hour or so fun of people.

  21. sally thelen · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    It is time that animals in cicuses are banned foever.Anyone who cares about animals knows it is wrong to subject animals to abuse and in circuses they are subjected to just that!

  22. Maria, Glasgow · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    When will humans stop torturing innocent animals to perform stupid tricks for stupid people?

  23. Julie jones · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Wild animals have no place in a circus!!! They are caged, abused and made to travel. They are depressed and are kept enslaved in unnatural ways, totally alien to their natural habitats. Please put yourself in their position for a moment and ask yourself, should any animal have to live in constant fear and pain???

  24. Tracey Williams · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Circuses are for those who are intellectually & spiritually challenged.

  25. Irene Norman · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please end this exploitation of animals

  26. Ryan Parker · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    These majestic beautiful Animals should not be kept in such small cages and traveling around the country. Where they are forced to live within small captivating spaces. How these animals are treated, if a human was treated like that, the would call it a horror film! lets see these circus trainers for one year being captivated, whipped beaten and forced into small cages where they can barley stand, forced to sit with 4 other people or more there whole life.

  27. Nancy Raymond · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    No animals belong in a circus atmosphere – it is unhealthy, abusive, confining and mistreatment runs amok in this environment. Many circuses thrive without any animals by providing human entertainment and this can surely be a profitable solution instead of kidnaping animals from their natural habitat and forcing them to perform unnatural tricks. I implore you to end animal suffering in circuses.

  28. Jane Murphy · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please back the new bill. This is very important to the animals

  29. Tommi Townsend · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    It is about time that this barbaric cruelty was stopped once and for all. PLEASE END THIS BARBARISM NOW!

  30. niki ritchie · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    This ban must take place – this has no place in today’s society – Animals are not ours for entertainment

  31. Suzie Dodd · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Keeping animals in cages is cruel and inhumane. They have no life other than performing pointless tricks for human entertainment. It’s time this went into the dustbin of history.

  32. carole Griffiths · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Long overdue!

  33. Justine Darvill · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    just stop its cruel ,

  34. Pam Twinning · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    The circus is as we are now aware a cruel, and abusive place for any animal. Ignorance of their suffering is one of our greatest shames.

  35. Niamh mc loughlin · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Animals deserve freedom and the only form of captivity they should have is in a warm safe loving environment were they are free to live in happiness!

  36. peter ambler · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    on behalf of 598 members of alvaston meadows wildlife rescue derby please stop any form of cruelty to animals along with this thank you peter ambler

  37. JULIE LINDUR · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    I once walked out on a Circus when the “wild animals” were brought in to so called entertain the crowd. The manager saw me leave and asked me why. He also said the animals were well cared for. I asked him if he would like to spend his life in a cage and only brought out on “display” before humans. The animals do as they are told out of fear but I told him never to turn his back on a lion because one day he will be lion meat. Thank you people for caring

  38. Stewart Cresswell · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Unacceptable

  39. rog borlase · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    wild animals do not belong in circuses,
    if you believe in circuses
    join one yourself

  40. laura brown · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Animals should not be in the circus full stop. You need to ban this

  41. Jill Li · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    End circus slavery… join the 21st century

  42. suzana y michel · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please back new circus bill in order to protect wild
    animals.
    Thank you

  43. Susan O`Hare · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please vote to ban the use of animals in circuses.

  44. Tatiana Chernenko · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Animals should not be used to amuse people. They are not for us to be exploited.

  45. Richard Scaturro · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please take action to stop the needless suffering. TY.

  46. Jo wade · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please don’t delay.
    These animals need help today.
    They should be born wild and free.
    Not performing for a fee.
    Entrusted with their future.
    You have the power to end their torture
    Please don’t delay.
    These animals need help today.

  47. Tracey Alison · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    It’s time to stick to their word and ban animals in circuses. Animals are not here for exploitation.

  48. Tracey Alison · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    The Government made a pledge to ban animals in British circuses. This has not happened and now the use of animals has increased drastically. This needs to be addressed urgently. This use of animals is cruel and outdated. Animals are not here for our exploitation and it’s time that the Government kept to it’s word before the next election.

  49. Alice Bell · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Circuses that involve performing animals are medieval, cruel and have no place in today’s world. Why is that so hard for anyone to see? We all know the Prime Minister couldn’t give twopence for animals (which is why I won’t vote for the Tories even though I used to work for them).

  50. Diane Cullimore · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    This is long overdue.Wild animals should not have to endure the confines of a travelling circus, in this day and age.We should not be allowing this suffering to continue.

  51. Louise Hardman · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    there is no need for wild animals to be in circuses it is not entertainment it is cruelty and usually neglect for wild animals . circuses can be entertaining without using wild animals . we should be educating young people about wild animals thourgh breeding, rescue ,rehabiltion for injured in the wild not showing them its fine to use tigers, elephants etc for entertainment .

  52. Jean Park · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please support this 10 minute rule motion: Wild Animals in Circuses.

  53. Serena F · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    This must be stopped! It is so cruel.

  54. colin steed · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please support this bill and change the way animals are treated in Circuses. Reintroduce this Bill now!

  55. magdalena · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    it is a shame that in today world we still facing this kind of primitive and cruel human activities. !!!

  56. Nicola Kent · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please vote to ban the use of animals in circuses. Wild animals should be free to live a natural life, they are not for our entertainment

  57. Petra spoor · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Please stop using animals in the circus

  58. joan izatt · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    THIS NEEDS TOO STOP NOW FOR ALL THESE HELPLEES ANIMALS… WHY SHOULD THEY BE IN CIRCUSES JUST TO ENERTAIN THE HUMANS…. NOT RIGHT AT ALL.. THEY ARE SOOOOO MISTREATED THERE ANYWAY. ABUSED ALLTHE TIME JUST TO MAKE HUMANES ENTERTANED!!!!

  59. Darlene Matthias · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Stop the cruel attacks on the animals

  60. Doris · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    No need of animals in the circus.I’m sure that we can find an other alternative to enjoy ourselves.Let’s leave animals to live their life in tranquility.

  61. Jean · 1 September 2014 at 10:55a

    Do not need a circus to see animals it is cruel they belong in the wild or a good zoo !!!!!

Leave a comment on this story

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.