The Show Must Not Go On! MP Alex Sobel Urges Landowners to Ban Cruel Animal Circuses

For Immediate Release:
22 September 2017

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

THE SHOW MUST NOT GO ON! MP ALEX SOBEL URGES LANDOWNERS TO BAN CRUEL ANIMAL CIRCUSES

MP Joins PETA in Calling for Cancellation of Circus Mondao Performance in Leeds

Leeds – After learning that Circus Mondao – one of the few UK circuses that still use animals in performances – is set to pitch up at Greengates Farm in Horsforth next week, Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds North West, has joined PETA in urging landowners not to allow cruel animal circuses on their land. He has issued the following statement:

The vast majority of people in the UK oppose the use of animals in circuses. Training animals to perform tricks, stunts, and contortions can cause immense stress and confusion – many live in constant pain and discomfort. Rarely are circus animals properly exercised or cared for between performances. Life on the road is wholly unsuitable for creatures who need space to roam and pastures to graze. So while the government dithers over introducing a ban, I call upon landowners to choose to do the right thing and refuse animal circuses the right to pitch up on their land.

PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animal are not ours to use for entertainment” – notes that in circuses, animals endure abusive treatment and the stress of performing and living on the road. As a result, they commonly suffer from chronic health problems and psychological disorders, display aberrant types of behaviour, and die prematurely. For years, Westminster has been promising to put a stop to wild-animal acts – after 94 per cent of respondents to a government consultation, including the British Veterinary Association, demanded a complete and permanent ban – but it has so far failed to do so.

In a letter to Leeds City Council, PETA argued that Greengates Farm’s close proximity to Leeds Bradford Airport would see animals subjected to even higher noise levels than usual – which may mean that the site doesn’t comply with the council’s “Performing Animals Registration” requirements.

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

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