Animal Defenders International website:  http://www.ad-international.org/adi_home/

Copy below of Article from ‘Animal Defenders’ (International) Magazine (UK) – Autumn / Winter 2012.

Contact the Minister responsible for letting down the British public who overwhelmingly want a ban on animals in circuses.

Ask him when the ban will be introduced; or we he continue to drag his heels like the government on so many other animal welfare issues:

E mail: demauley@parliament.uk

Government must ban wild animals in circuses as law fails Anne the elephant

Links:  http://www.ad-international.org/animals_in_entertainment/go.php?id=2289&ssi=10

Posted: 26 November 2012. Updated: 26 November 2012

Case shows regulations cannot protect animals in circuses

The decision to release circus owner Bobby Roberts with a conditional discharge, despite being convicted of cruelty to Anne the elephant, has fuelled calls for the Government to bring forward a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.

The Government’s ‘temporary’ regulations, brought in ahead of the promised ban on wild animals in circuses, have already been shown to be weak and unenforceable with video evidence from Animal Defenders International (ADI). But the court’s decision on Friday has shown that even where a prosecution for cruelty is successful, it is meaningless.

Jan Creamer Chief Executive of ADI: “The Government’s new regulations have been shown to be pointless by the Court’s decision. These circuses are no place for animals like Anne and only a national prohibition on using them in travelling shows can prevent such suffering.”

“This judgement has sent the wrong message to the circuses – don’t worry if you break the law on care of circus animals, you’ll get away with it.”

Video filmed by ADI at the winter quarters had shown Anne the elephant to be chained, barely able to move, for three and a half weeks; this alone was judged by experts to cause more suffering than the beatings she received at the hands of a groom that led to the conviction of Bobby Roberts under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The case showed how inspection after inspection had failed to identify Anne’s suffering and when the case was proved Roberts was given a conditional discharge and without even a fine or order for costs.

Expert witness Donald Broom of Cambridge University told the Court that Anne probably suffered more from the chaining and isolation than from the physical abuse she endured. Roberts was seen changing the shackles from one leg to another without releasing her and was convicted for causing her to suffer by being restrained in this way.

Yet Roberts claimed that it was normally his intention for Anne to be chained for thirteen and a half hours a day – more than four times the recommended minimum in zoo guidelines. This staggering level of immobilisation is cruel in itself.

Jan Creamer: “It is vital that the Government brings forward the plans to ban the use of wild animals in circuses, right now, otherwise more animals will continue to suffer, and that will be directly as a result of the Government’s decision to do nothing to protect them.”

Take action!

• Please ask Lord de Mauley, the Defra Minister responsible, when the wild animal circus ban that was promised in March will be introduced.
• Ask your MP to push for the ban to be implemented ASAP. You can find out who your MP is and email them here.

Support our Stop Circus Suffering campaign – make a donation

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, CIRCUS, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »

Source: http://legalaction4animalrights.net/2012/03/24/wild-animal-ban-will-help-circus-industry-but-government-must-act/

“Wild animal ban will help circus industry but Government must act”

Circus master Gerry Cottle: “I believe a ban will, in the end, improve the image of circuses in Britain.

The animal issue has given circuses a bad name.”

Animal Defenders International (ADI) have found an unexpected ally in the campaign to end the use of wild animals in circuses – famous circus impresario Gerry Cottle. Years ago, they were locked in battle as Gerry Cottle’s Circus toured with elephants, lions, monkeys, and llamas. But today ADI applauded Mr Cottle for saying that the time has come to end the use of wild animals in circuses.

Gerry Cottle, once a leading advocate of wild animal acts in the big top, is backing the Government’s promise to ban the practice, saying he has “reluctantly decided to move on”, conceding “The animal issue has given circuses a bad name.”

“Sad as it is for me to say, I now support the ban,” said Mr Cottle. “Times have changed and this issue has to be decided one way or the other. I believe a ban will, in the end, improve the image of circuses in Britain.”

Gerry Cottle’s Circus will start touring again next month completely animal free with human only acts.

Tim Phillips, Campaigns Director of ADI says: “We have said for a long time that the tarnished image of the animal circus is holding back the circus industry as a whole. We have always advocated human only circuses, and are in fact involved in promoting a human only circus festival in Colombia in the near future.”

“However, every time our undercover investigations catch on film savage brutality in the circus, like that meted out to Anne the elephant, or the Great British Circus elephants, then people come to associate that with the big top generally. The longer the Government delays implementing the ban the more harm they are doing to animal welfare and the wider circus industry.”

Data collected by ADI in the past has shown that when animal circuses close they tend to be replaced by animal free circuses. ADI’s huge undercover investigation of the British circus industry in 1998, which led to the convictions of Mary Chipperfield and others, saw more than 50% of the UK’s animal circuses close within six months. Every one was replaced by an animal free circus. Since then animal circuses in the UK have continued to disappear leaving just four with wild animals. But the exposes by ADI have continued with the abuse of Anne with Bobby Roberts Circus particularly shocking the public last year.

In 2011 the Chipperfield Circus, which had previously been exposed by an ADI undercover investigation, finally went animal free.
Tim Phillips says: “We applaud Gerry Cottle for taking this stand. The future of circuses has to be animal free, the traditions and skills can be retained without animal suffering. A ban on wild animal acts can be the best thing to happen to the industry. It’s the best way to escape the taint of all the video footage of lions, tigers, elephants and camels living in small cages and chains being punched, kicked and beaten.”

ADI however remain sceptical about the Government’s proposals for a ban and met with Defra Minister Lord Taylor last week to press for a timetable for a ban.

ADI believe that a licensing regime and inspection system is unworkable and will merely give an undeserved veneer of respectability to circuses with wild animals whilst perpetuating suffering and abuse. The ADI report Out of Control submitted to Defra shows how inspectors have repeatedly been misled by animal circuses concealing sick animals, chains used to restrain animals and physically abusing animals between inspections.

Tim Phillips says: “The only people who want regulation are the circuses with wild animals because for them it is business as usual with a stamp of Government approval. The public, Parliamentarians and now even Gerry Cottle all want a ban, but instead we have a handful of circuses making Defra and the Prime Minister jump through hoops rather than actually deal with the problem. It’s simple, if Defra and the Prime Minister really want a ban, then do it, not just talk about it.”

Earlier this year Greece banned all animals in circuses, and a few months before that Peru banned wild animal acts. National measures to prohibit or limit the use of animals in circuses have already been adopted in Bolivia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovenia, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Poland, Peru, Portugal, Sweden, Singapore, Costa Rica, India and Israel and similar laws are being discussed in the USA, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.

In 2011, ADI undertook an enforcement operation with the Bolivian authorities closing down eight animal circuses that defied the ban there. Every animal was rescued by ADI and relocated including 29 lions to the USA and a baboon to the UK. ADI continues to care for the animals and has offered the UK Government every assistance in enforcing a ban here.

Additional Information:

ADI (London) International and Uk  websites –

http://www.ad-international.org/adi_uk/

http://www.ad-international.org/adi_world/

http://www.ad-international.org/about_us/

Boycott All Animal Circuses !

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, CIRCUS, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »

Source: http://legalaction4animalrights.net/2012/02/03/greece-bans-animal-circuses/

Greece bans animal circuses

The Greek Government has banned the use of all animals in circuses following a campaign by Animal Defenders International (ADI) and the Greek Animal Welfare Fund (GAWF), backed by over 50 local animal protection groups across Greece. The new animal protection law also addresses a number of important issues concerning stray animals.

Tim Phillips of ADI, who launched the Stop Circus Suffering campaign in Greece in 2006 said: “In circuses in Greece we saw horrific suffering. I remember a hippo living in a small, filthy cage on the back of a lorry with a stinking pool barely bigger than a bath tub to wallow in. This is a great day for animal protection in Greece and indeed Europe. We applaud the Greek Government for taking a strong, unequivocal stand against animal suffering in circuses.”

Evgenia Mataragka of the GAWF, based in Athens said: “We are delighted that Greece has said no to cruelty in the name of entertainment. We have witnessed terrible suffering of animals in traveling circuses here and these animals often have to endure long journeys by sea from Italy. Many municipalities have already banned animal circuses in Greece, so we believe that this will be a popular with Greek people.”

Greece is the first country in Europe to ban all animals from circuses and similar performances. Austria currently has a ban on wild animal acts, and several European countries including Portugal, Denmark and Croatia have measures to ban or phase out wild animals in circuses.

Bolivia was the first country to ban all animals from circuses and in February 2011, ADI completed an enforcement operation with the Bolivian authorities closing down and rescuing every animal from circuses defying the law. This included relocating 29 lions to the USA as well as rescuing primates and horses.

ADI and GAWF have said they are committed to assisting the Greek Government with enforcing the ban.

In July 2011, Peru banned wild animals in circuses following an undercover investigation and campaign by Animal Defenders International. It is clear now that the days are numbered for keeping animals in travelling facilities and forcing them to do tricks in the name of entertainment. Legislation is currently being considered by the Governments of the USA, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador.

The UK will now be under considerable pressure to implement a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses, which was called for by an overwhelming vote by back bench MPs last year. The British Government had cited a legal challenge to Austria’s ban on wild animal acts as a reason for not implementing a UK ban. However, in December the Austrian Constitutional Court in Vienna announced that it had thrown out the application by Circus Krone to overturn Austria’s ban.

source:  Animal Defenders International  

Article 12 of the New Greek law

Ban of use of every kind of animals in any kind of entertainment and other similar businesses

1. It is forbidden to maintain any kind of animals in circuses or theatres with a variety programme, given that the animals are used in any way and for any purpose in their programme, performing, parading, or appearing in front of an audience.

2. It is forbidden to maintain any animal in entertainment shows, amusement parks, in motor racing circuits, concerts, exhibitions, fairs, or other artistic or recreational festivals, given that the animals are used in any way and for any purpose in their programme.

SAV Comment:

Past SAV Posts for Uk Circuses – NOW the GUTLESS UK GOVERNMENT HAS TO ACT !

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/uk-ministry-defra-called-to-come-clean-on-plans-for-wild-animals-in-circuses-charities-may-turn-to-the-high-court-for-answers/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/uk-england-what-the-majority-of-brits-want-uk-circus-owners-to-be-prosecuted-for-abuse-to-anne-the-elephant/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/uk-despite-attempts-by-david-cameron-to-kill-the-introduction-of-legislation-it-is-now-the-start-of-the-end-for-wild-animals-in-english-and-uk-circuses/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/uk-uk-conservative-government-headed-by-david-cameron-blocks-circus-ban/

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, CIRCUS, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »

Captive Animals Protection Society, PO Box 591, Manchester, M12 0DP, England UK

SAV Comment:  Excellent news, and in keeping with the overwhelming wishes of the British public.  For too long now, Defra have ignored the people and tried every excuse in the book.  We wish CAPS and BFF every success in taking this forward and getting a ban in British circuses.

Source: Captive Animals’ Protection Society (CAPS):

http://www.captiveanimals.org/news/2011/12/breaking-news-caps-and-born-free-to-seek-high-court-ruling-on-circuses

Below – SAV Previous Post Links on this subject:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/uk-despite-attempts-by-david-cameron-to-kill-the-introduction-of-legislation-it-is-now-the-start-of-the-end-for-wild-animals-in-english-and-uk-circuses/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/uk-uk-conservative-government-headed-by-david-cameron-blocks-circus-ban/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/uk-uk-citizens-required-to-take-part-in-defra-consultation-on-use-of-wild-animals-in-circuses/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/uk-more-cruelty-at-circus-exposed-and-still-the-uk-government-after-promises-made-years-ago-does-not-have-the-backbone-to-act-and-ban-animal-circus-acts/

Defra Called to Come Clean on Plans for Wild Animals in Circuses.

Charities may turn to the High Court for Answers.

Today, The Born Free Foundation and the Captive Animals’ Protection Society called upon the Government to make their position clear on wild animals in circuses as the two organisations stated their intention to look to the High Court to clarify the nature of the “legal obstacles” that Defra officials and Ministers claim are standing in the way of a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses.

In a letter sent to the Secretary of State on the 23rd December, the two organisations, who have been campaigning for a ban on the practise for a number of years, expressed their frustration at the Government’s failure to make its decision clear on the issue. The letter highlighted the result of the previous government’s 2010 public consultation process, which saw an incredible 94.5% of respondents calling for a ban, and the unanimous motion passed by MPs in the House of Commons in June of this year “directing” the Government to implement the same.

In spite of this, the Government has apparently opted for a regime to license the use of wild animals in circuses; a process which leading animal welfare organisations say will be unworkable. Numerous statements from Defra officials have cited potential (but vague) legal obstacles to a ban, referring to an ongoing court case challenging an Austrian ban, as an example of what could happen here. However, last week the Austrian case was dismissed by the Constitutional Court in Vienna, apparently clearing the way for action in Westminster.

The charities have appealed to the Government to make its position clear and clarify whether or not the perceived legal obstacles are still cause for concern. If unspecified legal difficulties remain, the two groups will consider going to the High Court to try to overcome the current stalemate using the Judicial Review process as part of “friendly proceedings” in which the Secretary of State would be the named respondent.

Said Liz Tyson, Director of CAPS:

“We sincerely hope that the resolution of the Austrian court case will give rise to the Government taking the decision to make good their promise to listen to the will of the House of Commons and we are eager to clarify their next steps. If the perceived legal obstacles persist then the only way we can see to resolve the current impasse is to take the matter to court. We can speculate forever about what the outcome of a legal challenge to a ban might be and, during this procrastination period, animals will continue to suffer. We are asking Defra to allow this process to be decided once and for all and to work with us to seek a solution.”

Will Travers, CEO of the Born Free Foundation added:

“Having personally worked on this issue now for nearly two decades and in light of overwhelming public, Parliamentary and professional support for a ban, the Born Free Foundation and its supporters sincerely hope Defra will move swiftly and decisively to humanely end this form of wild animal exploitation. We seek nothing less than a guarantee that no wild animals will be subjected to life on the road when the circuses season starts again next spring.”

More on this story can be found in the Independent this morning: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/coalition-faces-court-fight-over-refusal-to-ban-circus-animals-6282997.html

– ENDS –

Notes to Editors:

For more information on the case in Austria: http://www.vfgh.gv.at/cms/vfgh-site/attachments/0/5/5/CH0003/CMS1324453358376/wildtierverbot_im_zirkus_g74-11.pdf

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, CIRCUS, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »