Released to press on 09 June 2011
Today (9 June 2011) OneKind will celebrate the talents of human circus performers with a demonstration of skills outside the public entrance to the Scottish Parliament building, beginning at 12.45pm.
Performers will be showing off their skills to the public and showing that animals do not need to suffer in the name of entertainment. Helium balloons have been very kindly donated by The Party Shack in Musselburgh for use at the event.
The event is timed to coincide with a Member’s Debate in the name of Elaine Murray MSP on the use of wild animals in circuses, at 5.00pm.
OneKind has also circulated a joint Parliamentary Briefing with Born Free Foundation and the Captive Animals’ Protection Society, for the Member’s Debate. 83% of people in Scotland, who participated in a OneKind poll in 2009, agreed that the use of wild animals in circuses should be ended.
The UK government recently backtracked on introducing a full ban on the use of wild animals in circuses in England, and opted instead for a licensing scheme. This decision was made despite overwhelming public and veterinary opinion in support of a ban on wild animal circuses, as well as recent evidence of cruelty and abuse towards an aged, arthritic elephant named Anne in the Bobby Roberts’ Super Circus. OneKind is calling on MSPs to go it alone and press ahead with a ban.
Dumfriesshire MSP Elaine Murray, who secured the debate, said:
”The current UK government has overturned the previous government's intention to legislate to ban the use of wild animals in circuses. The Scottish Government has the opportunity to lead the way on this issue. It's simply not good enough to use the excuse that no Scottish based circuses use wild animals.
If touring circuses from elsewhere travel to Scotland it's left to local authorities to make the decision if acts using wild animals are permitted. We've seen in the case of Anne the elephant, now thankfully retired, that this does not ensure that animal welfare is protected.”
OneKind has written to all newly-elected MSPs asking them to support the introduction of secondary legislation on circuses as soon as possible, as well as in the area of pet vending animal sanctuaries, livery stables and animal boarding and breeding facilities.
Libby Anderson said: “There are many circuses that do not use any animals in performance and we encourage people to go these. But animal circuses, especially wild animal circuses, have had their day.
“Scotland can take the lead in the UK by establishing once and for all that making animals travel long distances, suffer confinement and often harsh training methods, and perform meaningless tricks for entertainment is a thing of the past. It would be pointless and expensive for Scotland to consider a licensing scheme and we hope MSPs will opt for a simple, effective solution to protect animal welfare.”
There are many welfare concerns around the treatment of wild animals in circuses, including the methods used to train them, inadequate accommodation while travelling and the stress associated with constant touring during the circus season. OneKind is opposed to all use of animals in circuses, where they can spend many hours cooped up in cramped and unsuitable transport or cages, but is focusing on wild animals which are the least suited to the circus life.
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For further information please contact Fin Robertson at OneKind on 0131 225 6039 or 07590 428845. fin.robertson@onekind.org
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