Politicians push for Government action on wild animal circus ban
Early Day Motion backed by ADI calls for legislation to be progressed in Britain “at the earliest opportunity”
MPs from across the political spectrum have joined forces to secure legislation to prohibit wild animal acts. An Early Day Motion backed by Animal Defenders International (ADI) calls on the Government to progress the animal circus ban, promised since 2012 and pledged in its election manifesto, “at the earliest opportunity”.
Jim Fitzpatrick MP, who tabled the Bill said, “The Government has been promising to take action on wild animal circuses for over three years and it is now time to deliver that promise. I urge everyone to support Animal Defenders International in its efforts to secure this important legislation for the animals by asking your MP to sign this motion calling for Government action.”
ADI has spent over 15 years exposing behind-the-scenes abuse of animals in circuses and highlighting the damaging effects to animal welfare caused by frequent transportation, inadequate enclosures, forced training and performances. The abuse of three elephants at the Great British Circus revealed by ADI in 2009 caused public outrage and saw huge support for a ban on wild animal acts from almost 95% of people responding to a Government public consultation.
Subsequent ADI footage of Anne, an elderly elephant being kicked, beaten and kept permanently chained at Bobby Roberts Super Circus sent shockwaves across the UK and around the world. Anne’s owner was convicted of cruelty and political momentum built, with backbench MPs voting unanimously for a ban and the Government agreeing to pass legislation the following year. Draft legislation was published in 2013 but progress stalled, leading Jim Fitzpatrick MP to put it forwards as a Private Member’s Bill. Despite cross-party and Government support, it was thwarted by a few rogue MPs. Wales is committed to a ban and is seeking to be included in England’s legislation, while Scotland will soon announce its plans, following a public consultation which showed 98% of respondents favoured a ban.
Conservative MP Sir David Amess said, “Few issues enjoy such phenomenal cross party support – a reflection of how opposed the country is to the outdated use of wild animals in circuses. We are now in a prime position to fulfil our duty to the public and the animals and bring these unethical acts to a swift end.”
ADI’s Stop Circus Suffering campaign has enjoyed overwhelming and consistent support from the public and politicians for many years. 94% of MPs stood for election on manifesto commitments to end wild animal circuses, with the Conservatives stating “we will ban wild animals in circuses”.
Conservationist, author and former MEP Stanley Johnson commented, “This impressively overwhelming show of support illustrates the desire and need to take decisive action to stop the suffering of wild animals in circuses. The Tory manifesto pledged to ban these exploitative and degrading acts and I will continue to support the efforts of Animal Defenders International to secure the promised ban.”
Take action!
- Please urge your MP today to sign EDM 192 – Wild Animals in Circuses – you can find out who your MP is and contact them here
- Help ADI campaign for an end to wild animal circuses
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Please ban these.
Animals are not here for our entertainment purposes. When will we realize that? Where is the compassion? Do you not have a heart? They are taken from their families, umprisoned and made to perform. Stupid fucking heartless humans!!!
Time to respect the transient beings living among us and journeying on this planet as we are.
End animals in circuses now. This is not why they exist!
Why is the British government dragging their heels these poor animals belong in the wild not to be abused in a money making scheme please vote to ban wild animals in circuses
No wild animal belongs confined and tortored in a circus or roadside attraction.
It is cruel and inhumane.
They deserve to be running free like they are intended to be!
Set them free!
Please support the ban on circus animals. Please do the right thing. Thank you
You have absolutely no right to treat animals this way!
This has to stop!
The Circus is now Something that Needs Stopping Altogether…Its Wrong and Cruel to keep Wild Animals In Captivlty..The Suffering and Misery is Immense to..Please Stop it.
No animal should have to suffer in order to provide “entertainment” !!
stop this now …. wild animals in circuses is totally unacceptable. They are kept in appauling conditions, and in most cases mistreated. IT MUST BE STOPPED
Stop treating animals like things
Time for all countries to get out of the Middle Ages and stop tormenting animals.
I agree! It’s disgusting.
High time for this government to do something in favour of animals and not against them!
It’s a shame for the UK to still allow wild animals in circuses. Keep your promises!
Please please this cruelty has too stop no animal deserves to be treated this way it’s in humane and it’s not right Animals were not put here for our entertainment they have a right to a happy life not in a circus nor do they deserve the abuse it’s wicked I saw the video of the ill treatment of Anne the elephant as well as the camels and ponies I cried my eyes out So lets make this stand and say No More
There is no justification for this type of treatment: the United Kingdom needs to lead the way on this.
A circus should not need animals to attract an audience. There are a lot of good acts to be seen in a circus ie Cirque du soleil
Animals were not created to entertain humans. They should not be in the circus and ill treated! No more animals in the circus!
This is NOT a political issue but a animal welfare one. Bringing in a ban is a simple matter that should be done immediately and no single person should be allowed to prevent it – this is a democracy remember. Shame on you politicians for letting this continue for so long. Britain should have been the FIRST to do this and have lead the rest of the world.
Cruel, barbaric and humiliating for such wonderful animals…Makes me so sad and angry that in the 21st Century it is still allowed!
Stop this animal abuse – leave them to live freely please !!!!
It is outrageous that in the 21st century, animals are being used in a ‘circus’ . Come on now..its just plain WRONG!! & CRUEL to say the least!!!
Plz stop they are also created by god not only u nd me
So please stop this curtly on them they also hve rites to live free their life.
Put an end to using animals and give them to a sanctuary please
This cruel and inhumane to these beautiful animals they should be released back into there natural environment to lives there lives roaming free
STOP THIS! WILD ANIMALS DON’T BE LONG IN CIRCUSES. THEY ARE MISTREATED AND ABUSED! IT’S JUST NOT RIGHT. STOP THIS NOW……
Sickening I say!
There is no need for this to continue. Even if they are treated humanely, it is still cruel.
Close all animal circuses.Its inhumane,they were meant to live in the wild,not to make money for lazy,self absorbed humans.
Close al animal circusespecially please!! We beg you this isn’t right and just totally barbaric. Just because we can’t understand then when they cry out for help doesn’t mean they don’t have feelings etc like we do. They have more of a right to be here than we do! Please stop this and make this world a better place. End all cruelty full stop. This is just 1 step of many things we can do to make a difference! !!
Los circos solo ofrecen una imagen distorsionada de los animales y atroz maltrato. Atentan contra los animales y contra las especies.
No animal should be forced to perform or caged . Beyond cruel.
Gone are the days of the colliseum! England is above this type of “entertainment”.
Stop this ABUSE,it is disgusting and unacceptable and needs to stop now! The animals are suffering and need immediate help !!!!!!
The human race is so selfish. Enough of using animals for our entertainment!
Stop it!
Pass this for the love of all that is decent in this miserable world.