Martin B Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Personally, I don't agree with performing animals in circuses well not to the extent of elephants, lions and tigers anyway. But I think that Horses at a circus is no different to an equine show. I am stuck with a bit of a dilemma. A circus with over 20 performing animals including Bear, camels, zebra, monkey, mules, Ankole bull, Shetland ponies, horses, ponies, llamas, goats, geese, ducks, snakes, birds. Is visiting my area and will be setting up camp only 4 miles away. I am really interested in seeing how the animals are cared for and if it really is as bad as some people make out, but if I pay my entrance fee aren't I supporting the trade and encouraging the use of animals in circuses. I hope you understand what I mean, would you or wouldn't you go? Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I thought the use of live animals in circuses had been banned? Anyway I wouldn't go, I totally disapprove of using animals like bears for entertainment. Bears should be doing bear like things in the wild, not kept in a cage and taken out to 'perform' makes me very cross Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 1, 2009 Author Share Posted May 1, 2009 Yes a lot of people do think it is banned but it certainly is not. In fact only earlier this year 2 asian and 1 african elephant were brought over to the UK from abroard to appear in the 'Great' British Circus, I say great with a slight cringe. It was on the news and they had a very poorly sized enclosure, they said they were let out to graze but the report showed them chained up in a tent! This same circus also has white tigers, bengal tigers and lions. From what I've researched there are about 12 circuses left in the UK which have performing animals, although only about 5 of these contain animals which are classed as Dangerous Wild Animals (DWA). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 travelling circuses can't possibly care for the animals properly because they travel around so much. I wouldn't give them a penny of my money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I'd go to the chicken circus a.k.a Janty's house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I would probably go just to see what it was like. You could just walk past and see if you can see what the conditions are like. I remember going to a circus years ago with nothing major but llamas, horses, camels etc and they all had access to the fields around the side and all looked friendly and well cared for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 No I wouldn't go. I remember years ago booking tickets for the Bolshoi in Moscow only to find that the performance had been cancelled with only a few hours notice ( I subsequently found out that this was a common occurrence). The State circus was in its place and very reluctantly I sat down to watch it with my friend. After the usual clowns they put on muzzled polar bears ice skating round a small ice rink. It broke my heart and I stormed out in tears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitbag Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I wouldn't go. It makes me sick the way some people exploit animals for their entertainment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 No, I agree with Poet - don't give them a penny. Infuriates me that animals are still being used in this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Sorry, this sounds like I am sitting on the fence, but you have to do what you feel is right and if you can justify your actions then go with that choice. Sometimes to really understand something you may have to experience it first hand. Not talking about circuses here as I've never been to one but talking more generally. I know when I lived in Spain lots of friends went to bullfights. I didn't. Not saying who was right and who was wrong but I made my choice and that was that. Ok, so perhaps sitting on the fence a little bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I can see that you wnat to go for research purposes Martin, but I wouldn't give them a penny of my money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I understand that they aren't treated very well etc, but surely Zoos and animal farms are doing the same thing - caging animals for entertainment . (I'm not saying Zoos are bad and I know they have captive breeding programmes etc which help the animals.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I wouldn't go. They'd get neither my money nor my endorsement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clash City Rocker Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Martin, from Worcester's local paper. Read some of the comments following this item. http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/4334113.Clash_at_circus_protest/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I wouldn't go & pay, but I would carefully snoop round their camp & animal cages outside & take a camera. Be very careful though & go as a group of lads - not on your own! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Surely they have regular inspections with regard to animal welfare? Could you not contact the local RSPCA and ask questions? That would save giving them any money, and could give you an idea about the conditions, minimum cage sizes, etc. Personally I wouldn't go either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Verging on the not paying, looking option. Thanks for the link Clash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
