The leg of a chained elephant in captivity. Picture credit: Tomer T
This year, the Great British circus celebrates its 250th anniversary, however official moves are being made to outlaw the use of animals in circuses. If a draft bill is accepted by the English law later this year, wild animals will be banned forever from all circuses in the country.
The UK claims to be a nation of animal-lovers, however wild animal circuses, one of the most redundant and brutal forms of animal exploitation, is currently allowed to go on in the country.
According to recent data published by PETA, a considerable 94% of the public support the ban. Also, over 40 countries world-wide have implemented the wild-animals law, including Scotland, that passed the legislation last year. The English government has been pressured from animal rights groups to introduce a similar ban, yet draft proposals have been repeatedly cut off over the last few years.
PETA Manager of special projects, Elisa Allen states:
“It is not a question of if but when. The UK should act as a leader, however the democratic process is extremely slow and the issue unfortunately comes down to something that has not been seen as a priority”.
Now, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, is set to introduce a new law that will ban the use of all animals in circuses in England this year. Gove has recently promised to introduce a legislation aimed at the improvement of animal welfare in England. So far the MP has promised that compulsory CCTV will be installed in all of England's slaughterhouses and a longer sentence for people who are convicted of animal abuse.
Circus animals are repeatedly beaten, famished and kept in unhealthy conditions. These creatures are exposed to a brutal and shameful treatment by their circus masters.
Today, also a number of circus operators are in favour of the ban. Luke Trentham Shaw, director of the Forgotten Circus, says: “My personal opinion is that animals belong to the wild and that they are unnecessary for circuses, especially because travelling conditions are clearly not ideal for animals”.
In the UK there are currently 19 animals performing in travelling circuses across England, according to animal welfare charity RSPCA. The ban will finally put an end to torturing wild animals around the country in the name of mere entertainment.
Rosa Farsetti