Stop Circus Suffering

Update: The Ten Minute Rule Motion by Conservative MP Trudy Harrison passed through the first reading with no opposition but the bill was blocked at its second reading on 16 March, 27 April 2018, 11 May, 15 June 2018 and 6 July 2018. This bill will next be heard on 26 October 2018.

Comedian Ricky Gervais has urged an end to the “madness”, supporting ADI in our call for a UK-wide ban on wild animal circus acts without delay. Ricky said: “Using and abusing animals is not what I call entertainment. A ban on wild animal circus acts needs to happen without delay. Please support ADI and help secure a UK-wide ban, ending this madness once and for all.”

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The Ten Minute Rule Motion by Conservative MP Trudy Harrison will be introduced tomorrow, Tuesday 6 March.

Trudy Harrison MP says: “Using these animals in performances adds nothing to the understanding and conservation of wild animals and the natural environment. Wild animals in circuses are trained solely for the entertainment of crowds, to perform tricks and acts which have no correlation to their natural behaviour. The British public overwhelmingly support a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses and bringing the law up to date is long overdue.”

Last week, the UK Government indicated it will ban wild animals in circuses in England by January 2020, allowing regulations introduced as an interim measure ahead of a ban to expire. Similar bans have recently passed in Ireland and Scotland, and are under discussion in Wales. Opinion polls consistently show that the UK public remains overwhelmingly opposed to wild animal acts, with a high proportion against all animal acts.

The announcement was welcomed by national treasures Brian Blessed and Joanna Lumley, who are both long-standing supporters of ADI and its campaign to stop circus suffering.

Changing attitudes and awareness of animal suffering have seen the number of wild animal circuses in Britain plummet. Only two circuses perform in England with wild animals, Circus Mondao and Peter Jolly’s Circus.

A ban on wild animal circuses was first promised under a Labour Government during the passage of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Following the shocking abuse of three elephants at the Great British Circus in 2009, exposed by ADI, a public consultation on the issue was launched by Defra. The results published in 2010 showed 94.5% supported a ban on wild animal acts and resulted in a commitment from the Labour Government, before the General Election resulted in a Coalition Government.

In 2011, ADI exposed the terrible abuse of Anne the elephant at Bobby Roberts Super Circus, leading to backbench MPs demanding a ban. ADI’s shocking footage also led to a cruelty conviction for circus owner Bobby Roberts. With a commitment from the Coalition Government in 2012, legislation to ban wild animals in circuses in England was drafted the following year. However despite stating it would be a “leading protector of animals”, the Government bill has simply gathered dust. Forty three countries have stepped up to stop circus suffering to date, with 27 of the bans – including in Scotland and Ireland – introduced since the bill was published. Repeated efforts by backbench MPs to bring in a ban through Private Member’s Bills, supported by ADI, have been thwarted by just a few MPs; the latest from Conservative MP Trudy Harrison, and again worded as per the government bill, to be introduced on 6 March.

In 2016, ADI revealed the miserable lives of Thomas Chipperfield’s lions and tigers, caged on the back of a truck and shut behind metal shutters at night and with restricted access to an outdoor exercise during the day. ADI also revealed suffering the same year at the winter quarters of Peter Jolly’s Circus. Appalling overcrowding, fighting between animals, a worker tormenting a camel, animals kept inside for days on end, and failure to comply with government regulations were documented.

Given the constant travel and their temporary nature, circuses cannot provide animals with adequate facilities to keep them physically or psychologically healthy. Welfare is always compromised.

Take action!

• Urge your MP to support a wild animal act ban!
• Support the campaign to stop circus suffering.