The Scottish coastal town of Irvine yesterday saw the latest step towards making the UK free of travelling animal circuses.
Above: Libby and Irene at North Ayrshire Council HQ in Irvine
Members of North Ayrshire Council supported a motion by Councillor Irene Oldfather – a former MSP and long-term advocate of animal welfare – to ban travelling circuses with animals from council land. In doing so, North Ayrshire joined a growing list of local authorities in Scotland that have listened to public opinion and decided that they will no longer host travelling circuses. Unless, of course, the performers are all human.
Over half of Scottish councils now ban circuses with wild or, in some cases, any animals from their parks and playing fields. North Ayrshire is a small council area but its seaside towns have been a favoured stop for travelling circuses over the years. Bobby Roberts Super Circus made three stops there this summer - two of them on council land - and Zippo’s Circus also regularly visits Irvine.
Representatives of OneKind attended the council meeting to hear Councillor Oldfather question the value of animal circuses for education, conservation or entertainment, when there are so many alternative opportunities to see animals in their natural environment. The motion was overwhelmingly supported by parties on both sides of the political divide.
Great to see another council take such a forward step.
Animals shouldn’t be forced to ‘entertan’ people. The life they are forced to live is nothing short of cruelty. The people who treat animals this way should stop and think how they would feel if the same was done to them.
Great news, well done North Ayrshire.
I live in South Ayrshire who’s Council, sadly, haven’t taken this stance.
we thought we had defeated bobby roberts last year (they visit here knutsford, cheshire about month of May) so well done north ayshire in putting another nail in their coffin.
i believe their only victims now are dogs & horses but knowing how any anycircus animal is treated i want a total animal ban
And do not purchase any Groupon deals. Groupon in the United States are known to sell Circus deals and Peta have video abuse of animals abused.
Power to the people!
HOW CAN THIS NOT BE CLASSED AS CRUELTY ? MAKING WILD ANIMALS DO UNNATURAL THINGS ( FORCED BY CRUELTY ) FOR PEOPLE TO OGLE AT IS SICKENING !!!! CRUELTY TO ANIMALS IS CRIMINAL OR SHOULD BE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think animals should be free in the wild. If they r at a zoo or in a circus it kinda bothers me but as long as they treat them well i guess its okay. I hate it when i go to tHe zoo and they trap tHe animals in tiny cages. If they have enough space its better