94% Support RSPCA's Call To Ban Wild Animals In Circuses

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:00 AM

The RSPCA's thrilled with the results of a Government consultation showing that 94 per cent of people want to see a complete ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.

Nearly 13,000 took part in the Defra consultation that ran for 12 weeks from the 21 December 2009. The majority of responses were from individual members of the public, but were also received from a range of groups such as veterinary, zoological and local authority organisations.

RSPCA's Government Relations Manager Claire Robinson said "We're extremely delighted to see that the Government has decided to finally move forward with proposals to ban the use of animals in circuses and that the Animal Welfare Minister agrees it's no longer acceptable."

"This is an issue the RSPCA has worked on for a number of years, most recently through our hugely successful 'Big Stop Campaign' and we'd like to say a big thank you to all our supporters who signed up to it. We hope that the Welsh Assembly Government and other devolved administrations will now follow suit."

The RSPCA has long held the view that animals should not be subjected to the suffering associated with circuses.

Wildlife Scientist Dr Ros Clubb said "'Circuses are clearly no place for wild animals. Confining animals like elephants to beastwagons and cramped temporary cages, transporting them from site to site and exposing them to abnormal social groups and noisy conditions all add up to a recipe for poor animal welfare. Watching animals perform unnatural tricks also does nothing to educate the public or promote compassion for animals."

"I hope this brilliant response to Defra's consultation is the start of a journey that will finally bring an end to this unnecessary animal suffering".

-ends-

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RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk
Website: www.rspca.org.uk

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