Stop Circus Suffering

Chipperfield big cats to spend winter in Scotland

Future for lions and tigers confined in circus looks bleak unless action is taken

The two lions and three tigers presented and trained by Thomas Chipperfield, and who have been performed at Peter Jolly’s Circus since last year, are to spend the cold, winter months in Aberdeenshire in Scotland.

Less than 2 weeks ago, ADI President Jan Creamer had warned in The Scotsman that “Scotland risks being the destination for its <England’s> wild animal acts” after it was stated that the outcome to its public consultation on the use of wild animals in circuses had been pushed back to the New Year. Until now, there had been no wild circus animals in the country.

In the same article, a number of welfare concerns at both circuses licensed to perform with wild animals, Peter Jolly’s Circus and Circus Mondao, were revealed by ADI. At Jolly’s these included water for tigers to bathe in being withheld, water not being provided for animals in the pre-performance holding area and snakes allowed to get to an “advanced” state of putrefaction, preventing a post-mortem to determine cause of death.

The Classical Circus Association tried to reassure readers, stating that the circuses had passed inspections and the reports were available on the Defra website, but they omitted to say that these were only published following Freedom of Information requests, such as the one from ADI which had exposed the failings outlined.

It seems difficult to believe that whilst ADI is rescuing lions from circuses in Peru and Colombia, having secured bans there, the future for these big cats looks bleak, unless Scotland, and England – who have fallen behind 28 countries who have taken measures to stop circus suffering – takes action and ends the unpopular and outdated use of wild animals in circuses.

Update:  the arrival of the Chipperfield big cats has led to a motion from Aberdeen MSP Kevin Stewart to ban circuses from using wild animals in Scoland!

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Comments

  1. Sinead McGiolla · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    It’s time that ordinary people took a stand and made politicians and government realise that to some of us at least, animals matter!!

  2. carole green · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    please stop these poor creatures from more suffering

  3. Dawnita Lutz · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Please ban circuses

  4. Pat Howarth · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    we are supposed to be a civilised country who loves animals not a third world country who uses and abuses these poor creatures for entertainment. Speak up for theses voiceless creatures. It does not make any difference if they were born into captivity we could release them from the prison they will endure for life

  5. Dana Belt · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Make sure these animals are well cared for and set them free from prison.

  6. sharon williams · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    stop this cruelty

  7. Virna Fossati · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Basta de animales en cautiverio!!

  8. Heather Shedlock · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    This is outdated and should be resigned to the past

  9. Nancy Miller · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    To expect these cats to tolerate a Scottish winter is short-sighted, to say the least. This is nothing but animal abuse and cruelty. Please re-think this, with the animals’ needs and well-being in mind, rather than your convenience.

  10. Karen Aquila · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Stop Lagging behind and Send the precious lives to a sanctuary! How would you like to live your life in a cage!

  11. sergio giron · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    no to animal abuse

  12. Sally Thelen · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Animals do not belong in circuses! Nothing anyone says can defend this cruel business where animals are kept in cramped conditions, receive harsh training, are dragged up and down the country all in order to give people who don’t care about animals an afternoon of ‘ entertainment’, This is not right in the 21st century!

  13. Connie Keys · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Unacceptable and shameful Scotland should stop it now

  14. sandra padilla · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Please do not use animals in the circus. t/hey do not belong there and are not well-cared for.

  15. Jessica Pynn · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Stop forcing animals to preform!

  16. Kathy · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Please sign the bill to ban animals in circuses, and as a first world country, take the lead and set an example for other countries. This archaic practice needs to be left in the dark ages now. Cruelty and suffering of sentient creatures is not entertainment.

  17. Evelyn harley · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    STOP the beating and exhibition for human “entertainment”.

  18. Anne McCrea · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Please support this bill to stop wild animal acts in the circus ring

  19. Janet McDonagh · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    It is time to stop holding wild animals captive in appalling environments. Have then moved to a sanctuary for their welfare.

  20. Sheryll Punneo · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    This animal abuse has to stop !!!! Please release these precious animals to live like they should !!!

  21. Jo Owen · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Please have mercy on the animals and be creative in thinking of a new way to make money!

  22. Ariana · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Just boycott animal circuses. they have no concern at all for the welfare of the animals they imprison and abuse.

  23. Christine Woodcock · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    I’m obviously getting behind. I thought that Britain had already outlawed the use of animals in circuses. GET WITH IT!! This is not acceptable.

  24. Jenny Bone · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Please end this once and for all! The animal circus has not place in the 21st century!

  25. Diane Barry · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Please help stop this needless misery and suffering.

  26. Nancy Raymond · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Animals in circuses needs to be outlawed in every country in the world – they do not belong in captivity and circuses are notorious for the abusive and mistreatment of these poor animals. I will never attend any circus that uses animals and will protest the use of them until it is completely stopped.

  27. Kenneth McKenzie · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    This is a totally barbaric and unacceptable situation!!

  28. Denine Heinemann · 28 October 2014 at 2:23a

    Quit acting like a 3rd world country and actually give a darn about a living breathing creature please. You’re better than this.

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