Animal Welfare group appeals for ban on circuses
AN animal welfare group has appealed to Moyle District Council to ban circuses from all council owned property in the borough.
Jean Dykes, chairperson of the Animal Welfare Federation Northern Ireland, made an impassioned plea to members at a meeting in Sheskburn House on Monday morning, describing the attractions as "cruel" and "degrading" to the animals involved.
The foundation has been calling for such a boycott of circuses following the death of an elephant while touring the province as part of an act last year.
Ms Dykes told members that with the advances in technology and ease of air travel, people no longer had to resort to going to circuses in order to see exotic animals.
She also claimed that due to the nature of the business, animals spent a large part of their lives travelling in cramped conditions from one destination to another.
Having heard Ms Dyke's 20 minute presentation, Cllr Helen Harding (UUP) said she supported such a ban.
"I would like to see a complete ban of animals in circuses," she added.
But Cllr Seamus Blaney (Independent) asked why horse racing, greyhound racing and sheep dog trials were not also coming in for criticism, as like circus animals, they too were being put under stress for the enjoyment of the public.
"Where do you stop?" he asked.
"Are you advocating we just open the gates and let them all free? Why just pick out circuses?"
"This is our current project," replied Ms Dykes.
"We would cover them all if we could."
Cllr Randal McDonnell (Independent) asked where animals who were no longer required should circuses be banned, go to, adding:
"Some of them would go into zoos if dumped into the wild which doesn't answer the problem, if there is a problem."
Ms Dykes said all such animals would be rehabilitated back into the wild where possible.
Speaking to the Times after the meeting, Ms Dykes said that by securing the backing of council's throughout Northern Ireland, the body would be taking its first step towards a total ban on performing animals taking part in circuses.
"We abhor any kind of cruelty to animals," she said.
"We really need to try to get legislation from the Assembly banning wild animal circuses but we have to start somewhere."
While no official action will be taken by the council as yet, members agreed to raise the issue in the future.
Ms Dykes will give a presentation on the matter to Ballymoney council this Monday evening.
Currently such a ban exists in only two council districts, Belfast and North Down. Both were introduced in 2002.
chris_kilpatrick@jpress.co.uk
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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