British comedian Ricky Gervais has joined forces with Animal Defenders International to ask the government to put an end to wild animal acts at circuses across the UK once and for all.
“Using and abusing animals is not what I call entertainment. A ban on wild animal circus acts needs to happen without delay,” said Gervais. “Please support ADI and help secure a UK-wide ban, ending this madness once and for all.”
The UK government promised last month that they would be working on new legislation to ensure there are no wild animals in any circus acts in England by 2020.
“After so many years of promises, the public remains both frustrated and sceptical. They have heard it all before,” said Jan Creamer, president of Animal Defenders International.
“With Scotland leading the way, the UK Government, and Wales and Northern Ireland, must call time on wild animals in circuses and legislate without further delay.”
Many backbench MPs have attempted to introduce bills but their efforts have been thwarted by a reduced number of MPs time and again. The latest effort came from MP Trudy Harrison but that attempt was also blocked though it will be revisited on 27 April.
Wild animal circus acts have been banned in 43 countries around the world. Last year, 27 countries introduced legislation banning them – including Scotland and Ireland. The rest of the UK is still to act.
Wild animals are forced to live in cages too small for them and have to endure mistreatment on a daily basis.
Polls have shown that the vast majority of the UK public is opposed to wild animals being mistreated and used for circus acts and most of them were also opposed to any animal acts. The UK public is very aware of how wrong it is – so why can’t the government act on their attitude?
Others backing the efforts of Animal Defenders International and the plight of wild animals in the circus include Joanna Lumley and Brian Blessed.
“It cannot come soon enough for the animals, who must endure an utterly unnatural and miserable life in the circus,” said Blessed.
“Forced to perform, caged and confined, it is haunting and horrifying to see animals being used in circuses …We must end these pitiful acts across the UK,” said Joanna Lumley.
> Naomi Round
Ricky Gervais: Wild Animal Circus Acts Must Be Banned
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