Stop Circus Suffering

Circus Madness in Parliament

Wild animal ban backed by Government but blocked for NINTH time

Efforts to finally end the use of wild animals in circuses in England continue to be thwarted after the bill introduced by Jim Fitzpatrick MP to ban such acts was blocked for the ninth time by a Conservative MP, despite backing from Government.

There is still time for legislation to be passed before the General Election but we must act now. 

The blocked bill is identical to the Government’s own bill, unveiled to media fanfare but which has simply gathered dust.  Unfortunately, the backbench bill only requires one MP to object to prevent it from progressing, and today Tory MP for Christchurch, Christopher Chope, blocked it for the sixth time.

Chope has claimed that this should “be a Government Bill, as it was promised by the Government”, yet Prime Minister David Cameron promised last year that the Government bill would be passed and recently Defra Minister Lord de Mauley gave the Government’s explicit support for the backbench bill stating “we support the Private Member’s Bill recently published by Jim Fitzpatrick MP to ensure a ban can come into force by December 2015.

The issue has become an embarrassing Parliamentary saga and David Cameron must step in to ensure that the promised legislation is passed.

ADI is working with MPs from all parties to put pressure on the Government and will continue to push until we win victory for the animals. Without our help they will continue to suffer.

WE NEED YOUR URGENT HELP!

There are fewer than 40 sitting days in Parliament left before the General Election, and we need you to speak out for the animals.

  • Contact your MP today. Urge them to call on David Cameron to keep his promise and bring in the ban before the General Election
  • Sign and share our petition, already backed by over 18,000 people
  • Make a donation – ADI is securing lasting change for circus animals around the world, help us do more!

Comments

  1. Nicole Gora · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    I am absolutely disgusted that this ban has been taken down not once, twice or three times but nine! This needs putting in action before the general election. David Cameron, this is directly for you.. You’ve messed with Britain for so long, and yes you’ve done a lot of good but your reputation is in tatters because of how this countery has gone in the past few years. Animal rights is very important to millions of people, yet this issue still goes unseen or directly corrected. We physically can not do it on our own as the public, so we’ve relied in YOU yet you’ve failed us, again. So as we cannot protest in the streets, we will continue to find a way to make you listen to us. We have a voice that those poor animals don’t, so we have to stand together for their rights, otherwise how can we say we are a fair, equal, rights giving race? We can’t. We must change this now.

  2. Ruth Rassool · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    there is no justification for blocking this legislation. How powerful should ONE MP be to continually blocke the will of the majority. This stalling is a global embarrassment for Britain’s government, and I feel ashamed of my birth country.

  3. Ruth Rassool · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    there is no justification for blocking this legislation. How powerful should ONE MP be to continually block the will of the majority. This stalling is a global embarrassment for Britain’s government, and I feel ashamed of my birth country.

  4. Mark Mannion · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Christopher Chope should be ashamed of the suffering he is causing by blocking the ban of Circus animals.

  5. Melanie Sosa · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Make this the last time this is an issue.

  6. lisa mckee · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    ban

  7. Christina Milauskas · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    These animals suffer so much, locked in cages and broken spirits. Please stop this, it is not entertainment.

  8. Bettie Paradis · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    For the sake of all that is holy, wild animals do not belong in circuses or animal shows or penned in small cages, please change this, to the people in charge, get a heart and a brain as well

  9. Abdallah Al-Khataybeh · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Please don’t delay. Wiildlife is counting on your actions.

  10. Jean · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    how is it possible for one MP to block a bill going through parliament? Where’s the democracy there !!

  11. lyn geddes · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    No place for animals suffering for entertainment in a civilized society

  12. Ali Alp · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Circus s belong to the past..

  13. Claire Foxall · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    stop this cruelty and suffering.

  14. Natalie Stone · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Please be the animals’ voice and protect their rights!

  15. Michelle Brione · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Stop keeping wild Animals Captive !!!! It’s cruel its prison how would you like it!!!

  16. libby stubbs · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    This is ridiculous, grow a pair before you are voted out in May!!!!!!!!!!!

  17. Irma Wouters · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Please bring in the ban on animals in circuses as promised? Thanks.

  18. freddie williams · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    ban animals in circuses NOW!

  19. Maureen Smit · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    STOP CIRCUS SUFFERING

  20. Tara McWilliams · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    please stop this madness now!

  21. Liv · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Stop this torture of animals and living creatures

  22. Antonia · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    You promise the animals a wilder future. Now keep your promise!!!! Or don’t count on my vote.

  23. Julie jones · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Stop blocking this ban and Act!!!!!!!

  24. Alexis Parsons · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Please keep your word to help animals imprisoned to a life of circuses. We should enjoy them in their own habitat and either pay to see them on tours, to help travel tourism, or to watch them on cable channels- Discovery, Animal Planet, that promote Education and awareness of these animals. Their lives are longer lived in their own habitat. Thank you for your time and consideration.

  25. alison bilbrough · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Don’t let anyone tell you your dreams are too Big! A Ban on the Big Top & the Big Cats alike.

  26. Stephanie Cacopardo · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Even countries like Iran are banning the cruelty of having wild animals in such horrible conditions. You mean to tell me England is not a s civilized as Iran!?

  27. TINA DOUGLAS · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Wild animals belong in the wild with protection, not in circus’s where they suffer isolation and are quite often abused by the people that should protect them!

  28. Macx Adams · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    What century is this ? These outdated cruel practices must end NOW!

  29. Robert and Marilyn Meyers · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    This is outrageous!

  30. Tatiana Breger · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    David Cameron needs to step in. This was supposed to have been passed into law two years ago.

  31. Carolyn Golba · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Please stop the use of wild animals in circuses.

  32. hj srikanth · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Tory govt, ban the use of wild animals in circuses, as promised!!!!!! Shame on you Christopher Chope (poop)

  33. jane Harrison · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Please ban now x

  34. Chris J Quinn · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    ‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’ -Mahatma Gandhi

    Join many other countries that are banishing this barbarism!

    Chope…you suck!

  35. brian keith · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Circuses belong in the past the captivity and barbaric training of wild animals is appalling.

  36. Ellie James · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    i support the fact that the use of wild animals should be banned in circus

  37. Cami Callear · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    No more blocking… get this ban in place… it’s way past time!

  38. Sonja Hartemink · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    So happy it will finally be banned in my country, the Netherlands this year. As it is being banned by more and more countries world wide. These barbaric practises belong to the dark middle ages; I sincerly hope that a modern country such as the UK will also make the right decision to ban the use of wild animals in circuses for good!

  39. trish delahaye · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    The majority of MP have voted to ban animals in circuses therefore it should go through. Animals in circuses have no place in modern society and of no educational value whatsoever as they are not displaying their natural behaviours. See them in the wild.

  40. Helen King · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    This bill cannot be allowed to fail!!!
    Even cruelty reknowned countries like China and Greece have banned live animal circuses. WHY is England so far behind the 3rd World in their thinking on animal welfare issues???

  41. Jacqueline short · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Shameful! This cruelty should have been banned years ago!

  42. Inbal Hancock · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Let them live free. We will do just fine without them in the circus. And for now I band circus until they stop abusing and usin animals. Enough is enough all animal got right to live free and happy.

  43. LINDA · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    THERE IS NO PLACE FOR CIRCUS WITH ANIMALS IN THE YEAR 2015. THEY BELONG TO THE DARK AGES

  44. Martyn Elton · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Great Britain must lead the way with this reform.

  45. Uberto Monaldo · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    The circus is a lager and must be stop. We want only circus without animals

  46. Agnes Cheah · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Stop the inhumane act!

  47. IOANA RINGACIU · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    shame shame shame to call yourselves human beings !!!

  48. elizabeth carter · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Animals do not belong in a circus, they are not here for our amusement!!

  49. carina martins · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Precisamos ajudar nossos animais

  50. Yvonne Parkins · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Wild Animals do not and never have belong in circuses.

  51. Necole d Cook · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Wildcats dont belong in Cages.. Captivity Kills.. They belong in their natural habitats the way it was ment to be!!

  52. jon jovi · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Idiots!

  53. roxy morris · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    How can we call ourselves civilized and allow this to continue. This is well past its sell by date and should be consigned to the history books .

  54. Chris Peysson · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    This is madness! The suffering of animals is never acceptable. This needs to be stopped, and the bill needs to be passed..Now!!!

  55. Deborah Wyatt · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    seriously WHY ????

  56. Parsla Meiere · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Stop exploiting animals in circuses – it’s not a life, but never ending torture fir these poor animals!

  57. Olia Gaidarenko · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Please make the ban happen. There is nothing positive or entertaining about animal slavery, abuse, and misery.

  58. Lisa Iris Roth · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    If you don’t care about animals, then look at it from a financial perspective. This form of entertainment is dated and loathed even more by each succeeding generation. It’s been supplanted by Cirque de Soleil, visionary illusionists and special effects. This isn’t Victorian times and there’s no excitement or appeal in an animal’s suffering and subjugation.

  59. Liz Reid · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    There is a clear mandate for this bill, keep your promise

  60. Sarah · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Keep your promise. If you break it the trust of the people will dissipate. Animals should be treated with care, not abuse.

  61. darko · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Stop circus

  62. kathy brunner · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    END THE USE OF WILD ANIMALS IN ALL CIRCUS’.

  63. Kareen Fraser · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Reall!!! Nineitimes this has been blocked now, six by Christopher Chope? Why can one man do this? More importantly why would this one man want to keep blocking this bill, my personal opinion is that there’s money involved somewhere.
    I’m ashamed to be British here, our track record when it comes to the welfare of animals is a joke, the rest of the world are likely disgusted our “leaders” are allowing this

    Come on David Cameron surely you’ve the final say here regarding this bill, why are you not doing nothing to stop this?

    Maybe it’s time to vote this government out and put our crosses on whatever party will put our animals interests before money

    Shame on you Christopher Chope, go spend a few weeks in a cage with your own filth, see if this maybe makes you rethink your decision here, or is it all about the money, surely you have enough already, that’s just sheer greed if you are taking a backhander, if not why else do you keep interfering every time this bill to ban the use of wild animals in circuses comes up, I’d love to know your reasoning.

  64. paula cook · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Barbaric in this day and age

  65. Carolyn Ellertson · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Get a grip England and do what you have been mandated to do.. What a bunch of woosies to let one person do this to a whole government. By allowing it, you are supporting animal suffering, and that is the image the world will have. For some reason, England and the U.S. both seem to have a mental block in this department..while smaller, smarter, more assertive, and effective governments all over the world are way ahead of you! I don’t get it.

  66. Terry Barthram · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    CICUSES ARE NOTHING BUT CRUEL DEPRAVED DENS FOR THE MISTREATMENT OF ANIMALS ALL FOR OUR SELFISH PLEASURES THAT IS NOW OUTDATED & SHOULD BE OUTLAWED!PLEASE PUT A COMPLETE BAN ON ALL CIRCUSES THAT USE ANIMALS PLEASE!THANK YOU!

  67. Heidi Valentine · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Isnt it about time our government listened to the people!!!! BAN THIS!!!!

  68. yolande o'selmo · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Grow a pair Cameron you are losing votes with your stance on animal cruelty already with hunting

  69. Claire Burdett · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Seriously I don’t understand what is wrong with your government that you can’t keep your promises about even the simplest things but always have to allow personal affiliations to take preference.

    Your government is such an out dated old school network, so out of touch, so OLD FASHIONED!

    Get a grip David and do the right thing!

  70. Pauline Hodson · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Who keeps blocking this Important Bill. What is their Problem!

  71. Alison Parry · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Blocked – NINE TIMES?! This is farcical! Christopher Chope – you have no idea of the suffering and exploitation you are supporting. WAKE UP!

  72. Kevin Lawlor · 16 January 2015 at 2:54a

    Why Mr Chope do you continue to block this- have you shares in these outdated circuses that still use animals?
    Do you take personal satisfaction out of this?
    The only circus shold be like cirque de soliel or similar- no animals involved.

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