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Call for public to snub circus by animal protection charity
A NATIONAL animal protection charity is calling on the public to boycott one of the country’s few remaining animal circuses, when it performs its Christmas pantomime with live animals in Bradford.
the Captive Animals’ Protection Society (CAPS) says this will extend the usual season, which ends around November, for at least another month. It says Circus Mondao uses zebras, horses, goats, llamas and camels in its performances, despite the House of Commons passing a unanimous motion to ban the use of wild animals in circuses in June.
A government consultation last year found that 95 per cent of the British public want to see the use of wild animals in circuses banned in this country.
The charity hoped that this would be last circus season that wild animals were forced to suffer under the big top as there is a lot of political and public support for a ban.
CAPS’ Director, Liz Tyson, said: “We had hoped that the Government would listen to the will of the people this year and ban the use of lions, tigers, zebras and other wild animals in the ring but they are dragging their feet and animals are still being forced to perform. To add another month or two to the already gruelling schedule is to add insult to injury and we would call on people to consider the animals this festive season by choosing an animal-free pantomime.
“On a personal note, I think we all remember laughing and enjoying seeing the makeshift costumes for those cast members who played animals in pantomimes.
“The pantomime horse, made up of one person at the front and one at the back is simply part and parcel of the pantomime tradition and to replace these with real animals is not only unnecessary but takes away from the slapstick fun that people know and love.”
Bradford councillor Chris Greaves, (Ind, Wharfedale), said: “The first that strikes me is that I am not a great fan of circuses.
“I don’t like animals in them, it’s totally unnatural - dressing up dogs and so on. It’s quite amazing that these things still draw an audience.
“But I can understand why the Government does not have this issue at the top of its priorities given all the massive debt problems it is dealing with currently.”
No-one from Mondao was available for comment.
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There are 14 comments to this article
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S.L
Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 08:22 PMWild animals circus ban 'not supported by evidence' The Press and Journal [Dundee (UK)] 21 Nov 2007: 12. Translate Full text A ban on using wild animals in travelling circuses because of welfare concerns is not supported by the scientific evidence, a report for the UK Government said yesterday. The chairman of the Circus Working Group, Mike Radford, of Aberdeen University, has reported his findings following proposals outlined by the government in March last year to ban certain non-domesticated animals from travelling circuses under the Animal Welfare Act. An academic panel was created to consider the scientific evidence from both sides of the debate as to which, if any, wild animals were suitable for travelling circuses. The panel concluded: "There appears to be little evidence to demonstrate that the welfare of animals kept in travelling circuses is any better or worse than that of animals kept in other captive environments." They concluded that animal health was generally good in travelling circuses and it was difficult to decide whether "stereotypic behaviour" - such as pacing - showed poor welfare. There are fewer than 50 animals involved in travelling circuses in the UK, including a retired but still touring elephant, seven tigers, five lions, a number of llamas, zebras and snakes. The report did say that changes needed to be made, as travelling circuses are not covered by any kind of animal welfare regulation except the standards all individuals have to maintain and the requirement they register with local authorities. RSPCA head of wildlife science Dr Rob Atkinson said: "Having tigers jump through hoops and bears ride bicycles does nothing to educate the public or foster respect for animals. "These pathetic activities belong to a bygone age." "Allowing the use of wild animals in circuses to remain lawful would be completely against the spirit of the Animal Welfare Act - and would be a travesty," Dr Atkinson said. But Chris Barltrop, chairman of the industry sub-group of the working group, said the report was "tremendous. He also said that the the industry was prepared to accept greater regulation. "This report is not the end of the road because we haven't yet achieved the goal of ensuring the future of the circus which I believe is an important amenity and cultural feature. But I think this is the first day of what could be a very positive future for the circus industry," he said. Copyright Northcliffe Electronic Publishing Nov 21, 2007 Word count: 381 Indexing (details) Cite Title Wild animals circus ban 'not supported by evidence' Publication title The Press and Journal Pages 12 Number of pages 0 Publication year 2007 Publication date Nov 21, 2007 Year 2007 Section AGENCY Publisher D C Thomson Place of publication Dundee (UK) Country of publication United Kingdom Journal subject General Interest Periodicals--Great Britain Source type Newspapers Language of publication English Document type
andrew lewis
Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 07:22 PMKaren, as respected the RSPCA are in some peoples minds, the fact is, the RSPCA to date, is the ONLY UK animal welfare organisation to conduct an independent study into the welfare of animals in British circuses. That study lasted eighteen months, covering more than three thousand hours of animal observations, including animal training, practise sessions, performances, loading, unloading, travelling and at playexercise. That totally independent study on the RSPCA's behalf concluded that the welfare of circus animals was no different to animals in other captive environments and that there was NO evidence of cruelty and NO evidence of stress when travelling, the training the animsl recieved was to a high standard and to the benefit of the animals. Since then, only DEFRA has conducted any other studies into the welfare of circus animals. The published Radford Report by SIX independent scientists concluded pretty much the same as the RSPCA study. You mention the study by Bristol University, you know as well as i do, that the authours of the so called study carried out NO factual researchvisits on any British circus and the study was published using deliberate mispresenatation of facts from another previous study and with information supplied by an animal rights group, so a bit one sided don't you think, in this case no you probably don't. Please ask your respected RSCPA how much money they have made from their anti circus campaigns over the last five years and then ask them how much of that money they have actually had to spend treatingrehomingcaring forhelping the animals they have had to rescue from the so called cruel British circuses. I don't know the answer to the first question and i doubt they would even attempt to give an answer. The answer to the second is quite simple to answer. The RSPCA has not had to remove ANY animals from ANY British circus!
Karen P
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 03:59 PM1. We have the RSPCA who are the leading and highly respected animal welfare charity in the UK saying very clearly that animal circuses should be banned on animal welfare grounds. 2. We have the British Vetinary Association also saying clearly that animal circuses should be banned on welfare grounds. 3. We have research by political communications firm Dods that suggests two thirds of MPs in the UK back a ban. 4. We have academic scientific research by G Iossa, C D Soulsbury and Dr Stephen Harris of the University of Bristol in 2009 which found that circus animals spent 90 to 99% of their day in small exercise pens. The researchers noted that many of the animals exhibited repetitive behaviour. 5. We have many countries across the world already banning animal circuses on welfare grounds. 6. Society has moved on. People have moved on. Animal circuses have had their day. I used to go to animal circuses, not any more, I have no respect for the industry and to be blunt honest about it I have went to many animal free productions like Cirque De Glace, Cirque Eloize, Circus of Horrors all of which in my opinion are streets ahead and far more enjoyable ........... So put frankly if it is a choice between listening to the views of the above mentioned experts or a bunch of circus clowns, well I sure know who I am going to believe and listen to and believe............
RichardWalls
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 04:50 PMIf I lived closer I would go see this show. Everything I was going to say has already been said. Please see the show and make your own mind up. From what I've seen on this page the only true thing I've seen printed is the date.
Emily Gallet
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 04:28 PMI will be going to support Circus Mondao's pantomime, the animals are well looked after and there have been several scientific reports, commissioned and then buried by various government departments over the years, which attest to this fact. The animal trainers, and directors, of Circus Mondao love their animals and would not do anything which would cause them discomfort. I implore the great British public to go and see these beautiful creatures for themselves and to make up their own minds, please don't just believe the CAPS propaganda.
Ionut Roncescu
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 04:03 PMOnce again, corrupt reporters and editors(and councillor for that matter), of which "Yorkshire Post" or any other respectable news paper should disassociate from, I would like to know how much did CAPS have"sponsored" to have their little winging money making scheme published? And If any body believes that CAPS ,ADY or even RSPCA( which has lost the plot in the last 20 years) are non profit animal protection charities ,they are naive.This organizations make millions in profits, from donations that genuine people, people which are lied and conned in to giving money bye the clever and sophisticated emotional campaign of this groups.Money from which a shocking little amount contributes to any real animal welfare work. And again reporters and councillors who got no idea what they are talking about where animals or animal welfare or legislation are concerned. So please let the people enjoy their time at the circus and if you have any concerns about the animals or you are curios about the whey they live and work take the time and go back stage in the zoo and see them ,talk with the staff and the trainers.
J.Jamieson
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 07:47 AMHaving visited Mondao sveral times I can assure you that the animals are very well cared for. Obviously your journalist has not taken the effort to visit the show or you would have seen how great the animals are and that they are not 'dressed up' for shows. Putting animals in clothes went out of fashion decades ago. If people are not sure about seeing this great circus show I suggest they go and look at the animals first. Then decide. Do NOT be brainwashed by the animal rights groups, whose ultimate aim is to stop all contact between humans and animals, including the keeping of pets. They pick on circus as an easy target to start. ENJOY THE SHOW!!!!!
AmandaSandow
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 12:17 AMFirst of all,did any one go visit the animals,and see for themselves,you no, turn up unannounced and go see for your self...In this day and age,Circuses with animals have strict codes of animal welfare,regulations on stabling,exercise areas,and licences to keep and look after animals.....Its just typical that Animal carers, at circus mondeo get victimized and persecuted for doing there job of looking after there animals to a very high standard...You only have to go and see the animals to see what wonderful condition they are in,why not spend a day or a week with the circus,and see how the animals are treated,If you dont want to see a Circus with animals,then go to one without them...But get your facts right first,in 2011 circuses with Animals are highly monitored and as i said before have to adhere to strict codes of animal husbandry.Also the comment about Dressing up animals is a complete lie...Go and have a look for your self.The circus is a wonderful place to see animals in perfect health,and condition,And Circus Mondeo is no exception......
ShaunBailey-Kelly
Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 04:40 PMyour paper as always reports inacurate biased info thats been proved to be flawed. the same applies to caps and other animal rights organisations. shame you didnt report that regulatiopn is welcomed by circus owners, you didnt report that mp's have refused to go and see for themselves how well these animals are cared for,shame you didnt report all the proven false videos that have been badly edited thats used to gain the public sympathy by the animal rights groups. maybe you should go back get the facts and then try putting a report or story together! circushtetruth.com contains much evidence to show the genuione welfare of animals in real circuses they show the complete opposite the animal rights groups would have you believe. this story is extremely unfair on mondao who like other circuses put the care and welfare of their animals above any other part and the animals are seen as their children. if they have anything to hide why are the PUBLIC alloqwed to view the animals and where they live after the show? finally the only reason attendances may be lower is because people are sick of seeing a bunch of people forcing things in their faces that they really dont believe or wish to see and they get harrassed and hounded on the way in and the so called 'UNANIMOUS' vote vcan not be counted as it was around 40ish mp's with 7 against a ban which is nothing compared to the 650ish mps in the country how is that unanimous?
circushighschool
Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 03:50 PMCircus Mondao are a set of totaly dedicated people who spend 24 hours 7 days a week living with, and caring for their much loved animals. The Animals are far more regularly checked be these selfstyled "propective" groups and are ALWAYS given a wonderfully clear bill of health both for the physical and Mental condition they always find them in., and indeen as with all orher Animal shows on the UK These animals are happy healthy safe secure and thurily enjoy their few mins of praise and rewards which they recieve for a few mins work twice a day. The British public need to stand up at every chance they have to support animal circus and stop listening to the nonsense coming at them from these "Protective" agencies.
andrew lewis
Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 09:40 PMI wonder if anyone from CAPS or indeed this newspaper has actually seen any of the animals at Circus Mondao. All of the animals are in superb condition, the stables allow the animals plenty of room to move about and they daily have access to exercise paddocks. I am not aware of any Vet, RSPCA, local council animal welfare officer inspection that has had anything negative to say about either this circus or its animals or their condition. CAPS are fully aware that 95% of the British public did not vote against wild animals in circuses. Just under 13.000 people replied to an online petition set up over a three month winter period, a time when circuses were mainly resting and not in touch with their true supporters, the customers they all entertain each and every week. So a one sided petition to start with!!! 95% of 13.000 wanted wild animals banned, that does not make it a majority of the population, therefore the figure is a sham. There are approx 60 million people living in this country and just 13000 against something is a pretty poor achievement!!! Despite CAPS knowing the truth, their own website and anti circus leaflets state 95% of the UK against wild animals in the circus, this leaflet has had to be withdrawn due to false information. The Great British public who support traditional circus know how the animals are loved and cared for in Circus Mondao and thats why it is probably Yorshires most popular animal circus, its very well known in this area. I wouldnt support them if they were cruel to their animals. Perhaps Cnllr Chris Greaves should pay a visit and then maybe realise that circuses do not dress animals up and that circuses are actually a good place for animals. Come on Yorkshire Post, please do a bit more research before printing yet another silly statement from CAPS! Long live Circus Mondao and its beautiful Noah's Ark of wilddomestic animals and long live the great tradition of Christmas pantomime.
Kit
Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 06:54 PMThe animals at Circus Mondao are amongst some of the best cared for animals in this country. Unlike most privately-owned animals, they have regular checks and inspections by government and Animal Welfare organisations, which helps to ensure that they are in the best of health and have all their needs catered for. CAPS should leave them alone and concentrate on the many cases of less fortunate animals in this country. It seems obvious to me that the author of this article did not even bother to check the incorrect "facts" that they were given by CAPS. The debate in the House of Commons involved only a tiny minority of MPs, 2 of which announced that they would vote against a ban and another that was abstaining. This hardly qualifies as "the House of Commons passing a unanimous motion". Also, regarding the fabled "95 per cent of the British public" in reference to DEFRA's "public" consultation - the consultation was open to votes from around the world, not just the UK. Furthermore, there were no checks made to eliminate multiple votes. Even if we discount these rather significant facts, which would be enough to invalidate most decent surveys, the votes against animals in circus only numbered approximately 13,000. This would equate to just 0.02% of the British public, quite a way off from this article’s claims.
Andy Payling
Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 05:16 PMI am going to this panto because they have live animals,& I am taking all my family to see it aswell. I am fed up of people commenting on circus animals when they don't go to see for themselves,if they did they would see how well the animals are looked after.
paul bilbey
Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 09:01 AMive beening going to circus mondao since it started the animals are the best looking ive seen and very well looked after all the best to all at mondao keep up the good work
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