| Councillor proposes ban on circus animal |
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| Wednesday, 16 April 2008 | |
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A councillor on the Southside is proposing that her local authority should follow the example of other councils around the country and ban the use of circus animals in public areas. Cllr Nessa Childers (GP) will table a motion at next month’s Dun Laoghaire Rathdown council meeting to ban the use of circus animals in live shows on council owned land. Last October Fingal County Council became the first local authority in the country to pass a motion recommending a ban on circuses using wild animals on public land. Councillors in Cork city also backed the same motion two weeks ago. Cllr Childers represents an area of Dublin that is synonymous with circuses. Circus Field in Booterstown has hosted shows by leading companies for the last 50 years. Cllr Childers urged people to think about the welfare of the animals when a circus comes to their area. “I would like them to think about what is really happening to the animals inside,” she said. “With the very best intentions, travelling act circuses simply cannot provide for the animals in their care. “Circuses say they love their animals, but it’s a business for them. Animals in circuses are not volunteers, they have been deprived of their precious freedom for a lifetime of cheap tricks.” She said that two investigations into Irish circuses from 2000 and 2003 and as recently as 2006 raised serious concerns for the animals. Cllr Childers claimed the investigations uncovered cramped, dirty conditions and miserable, unhealthy looking animals while public safety was also highlighted. A spokesperson for the National Animal Rights Association (NARA), Laura Broxsin, said it would be a great victory for animal rights if the motion was passed. “The animals are not trained with sugar lumps and treats,” she said. “They are beaten into submission and only perform through fear. A lot of the times these animals hurt themselves because they are driven mad. They are also forced to live out the rest of their lives in torture and misery just for the entertainment of people. We think people should know better.” Blackrock based Progressive Democrats activist and former councillor, Victor Boyhan, has also called on the council to rethink its policy. In January 2000, he led a campaign within the council for a similar ban and a motion he tabled was defeated by just one vote. “Animals kept in travel trucks suffer as such restricted confinement contributes to mental torture,” he said. “We share our planet with a wide range of creatures. I believe it is our responsibility to treat them humanely.” However, another councillor from Blackrock, Niamh Breathnach, said she would not support the motion and remarked that many people had fond childhood memories of circuses. “I have attended circuses all my life,” she said. “We have a visiting vet and we have animals that have very close relationships with their trainers. It is a way of life. “As long as I am satisfied that the animals are inspected and in good condition, I just wish the circuses well.” Duffy’s Circus, who recently ended a two week run of shows at Booterstown, also proudly defended its track record in relation to animal welfare. The owner of the circus, David Duffy, said no allegations of abuse were ever made against his company. “We look after these animals,” he insisted. “They are in our care and yes we earn our living with them but likewise they earn their living with us. They are well looked after, they are well treated and well fed. If they get any sort of ailments we look after them. “I would say that there has never been an allegation of mistreatment or abuse against anybody at Duffy’s Circus and I would welcome anybody that wants to come down and talk to us about the issue.” |
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Developed by Kevin Flynn