Residents from the Welshpool area are being encouraged to boycott the travelling circus this week in protest at the use of animals in their live show.
National animal protection charity, the Captive Animals' Protection Society (CAPS), has called on the public to boycott one of England’s few remaining animal circuses, Peter Jolly’s Circus, when it performs in Welshpool from April 18-22.
The group claims that the circus has used snakes, camels, llama, zebra, ankolie, horses, ponies, mules, dogs, and pigeons in its performances in the past.
Liz Tyson, Director of CAPS, said: “Visitor numbers to circuses with wild animals have halved in the last five years and there is a huge amount of support for the new proposals for a ban. But the Government needs to act quickly and we ask that people stay away from those shows that continue to use animals in the meantime. We sincerely hope that we will soon see a ban on this practice but we remain concerned for all animals in circuses, whether domestic or wild.”
But the circus has remained popular during its tour and previously stated that: “There are studies that show that keeping animals in a circus is no different from keeping animals as pets. It doesn’t really bother us anymore because we know that people will keep coming back to our shows because they know that it’s just a bit of good family entertainment that doesn’t hurt anyone.
“We’ve been inspected by Defra and we’ve passed inspections, we’re not doing anything wrong.”
Earlier this year, the Government announced that the use of wild animals in circus acts could be banned by 2015 and, in the meantime, the Government proposes to introduce a licensing system to regulate circuses.
CAPS claims that a 2006 RSPCA survey showed 76 % of the Welsh public supports a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.
Their spokesperson added: “We are currently hoping that some demonstrations will be held when the circus visits Welshpool this week.”