Leading Animal Groups Call On Theresa May To Ban Wild Animals From Circuses

For Immediate Release:
8 September 2016

Contact:
Olivia Jordan +44 (0) 20 7837 6327, ext 229; [email protected]

LEADING ANIMAL GROUPS CALL ON THERESA MAY TO BAN WILD ANIMALS FROM CIRCUSES

PETA, the RSPCA, Born Free Foundation, and Others Urge New Administration to Fix David Cameron’s Broken Promise

London – With Parliament back in session this week, a coalition of leading animal organisations – including PETA, the RSCPA, and the Born Free Foundation – has sent an urgent letter (available here) calling on Prime Minister Theresa May to bring forward legislation to ban wild animals from travelling circuses.

As PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment” – notes in the letter, David Cameron promised to prohibit the practice by January 2015 but failed to do so, despite the fact that 94 per cent of respondents to a government consultation support a complete ban.

“[C]ircuses can never adequately provide for the unique physical, social, and psychological needs of any species of wild animals”, the groups write. “Every day that this legislation is delayed is another one of misery for animals. … The UK, a nation that prides itself on high animal-welfare standards, is now lagging woefully behind.”

Wild animals in circuses spend their lives confined to cages or boxcars when they’re not being bullied into performing tricks. They commonly endure abusive treatment and are denied the opportunity to engage in any natural behaviour. They also frequently display aberrant behaviour and suffer from chronic health problems and psychological disorders – and many die prematurely.

By implementing the legislation, England would join Austria, Belgium, Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands, and many other countries in prohibiting wild-animal circus acts.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk.

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