Pressure group accuses circus of elephant abuse (From Gazette)

Pressure group accuses circus of elephant abuse

3:00pm Friday 25th December 2009 in News

ALLEGATIONS of circus animal abuse by a leading pressure group have prompted the Government to launch a public consultation on the issue.

Earlier this year, Animal Defenders International released footage of shocking treatment to elephants at the Great British Circus, which toured the UK, stopping at Rochford and Colchester.

The disturbing footage shows elephants hit in the face, kept in chains and barely able to move for up to 11 hours a day, leading to abnormal behaviour.

ADI has been pushing for a ban for more than ten years and presented detailed evidence of its most recent undercover expose to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, urging it to act.

As a result, Defra is starting a three-month survey, aimed at gathering public opinion on whether animals should be banned from circuses.

ADI chief executive, Jan Creamer, said: “Two thirds of the public are in favour of ending the use of animals in circuses. It is time for people to speak out and urge the Government to uphold its 2006 pledge to ban wild animals in circuses.

“With countries like Bolivia implementing bans, and many others considering similar measures, the UK is falling behind in its standards of animal welfare.

“It is a disgrace that in 21st century Britain animals are still being beaten and chained up in the name of so-called entertainment.”

A spokesman for the Great British Circus was unavailable for comment, but has previously said the man responsible for the mistreatment was immediately dismiseed