Stop Circus Suffering

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Amess said, “Few issues enjoy such phenomenal cross party support – a reflection of how opposed the country is to the outdated use of wild animals in circuses.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.”

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Comments

  1. Amy sanders · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    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!!!

  2. Lucie Pellerin · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Time to respect the transient beings living among us and journeying on this planet as we are.

  3. jasmine shadrack · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    End animals in circuses now. This is not why they exist!

  4. mark Brierley · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    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

  5. Carolyn Caplan · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    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!

  6. linda grant · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Please support the ban on circus animals. Please do the right thing. Thank you

  7. Jenny Andriou · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    You have absolutely no right to treat animals this way!

  8. Chris J Quinn · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    This has to stop!

  9. Sue Grainger · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    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.

  10. Julie Meadows · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    No animal should have to suffer in order to provide “entertainment” !!

  11. Gill Clarke · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    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

  12. NIKOLAOS BOUCHLIS · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Stop treating animals like things

  13. Marcia Mueller · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Time for all countries to get out of the Middle Ages and stop tormenting animals.

    1. Michelle Scott · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

      I agree! It’s disgusting.

  14. Renata Bartoli, PhD · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    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!

  15. Karen · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    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

  16. Helen Geddes · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    There is no justification for this type of treatment: the United Kingdom needs to lead the way on this.

  17. carolyn glover · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    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

  18. Lory Anello · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Animals were not created to entertain humans. They should not be in the circus and ill treated! No more animals in the circus!

  19. Sue Hammond · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    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.

  20. Michelle Scott · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Cruel, barbaric and humiliating for such wonderful animals…Makes me so sad and angry that in the 21st Century it is still allowed!

  21. Jackie Shaw · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Stop this animal abuse – leave them to live freely please !!!!

  22. Anne Preston · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    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!!!

  23. preethi manikandan · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    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.

  24. Laura Olsen · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Put an end to using animals and give them to a sanctuary please

  25. Glenys Harding · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    This cruel and inhumane to these beautiful animals they should be released back into there natural environment to lives there lives roaming free

  26. Whitney Lloyd · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    STOP THIS! WILD ANIMALS DON’T BE LONG IN CIRCUSES. THEY ARE MISTREATED AND ABUSED! IT’S JUST NOT RIGHT. STOP THIS NOW……

  27. Cindy Okada · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Sickening I say!

  28. teresa pence · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    There is no need for this to continue. Even if they are treated humanely, it is still cruel.

  29. melva Barrett · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Close all animal circuses.Its inhumane,they were meant to live in the wild,not to make money for lazy,self absorbed humans.

  30. Kelsey hudson · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    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! !!

  31. Ángeles morales · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Los circos solo ofrecen una imagen distorsionada de los animales y atroz maltrato. Atentan contra los animales y contra las especies.

  32. Marianne Mc Donald · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    No animal should be forced to perform or caged . Beyond cruel.

  33. Travis Bryant · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Gone are the days of the colliseum! England is above this type of “entertainment”.

  34. Lorraine Baxter · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Stop this ABUSE,it is disgusting and unacceptable and needs to stop now! The animals are suffering and need immediate help !!!!!!

  35. Halima · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    The human race is so selfish. Enough of using animals for our entertainment!

  36. Line Rørdam · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Stop it!

  37. Randy · 30 June 2015 at 10:21a

    Pass this for the love of all that is decent in this miserable world.

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