UK Unanimously Votes For Circus Ban

More than 50 British lawmakers from all the major parties voted unanimously for a complete ban on the use of wild animals in British circuses. The highly charged debate Thursday evening defied the Prime Minister’s directive and left the government with little choice, except to move forward with freeing lions and tigers from circuses.

The historic vote went against Prime Minister David Cameron’s government that insists imposing restrictions on the use of animals would go against European laws and prompt legal action.

Currently there are 40 wild animals used in the three circuses that tour Britain.

Jan Creamer, Chief Executive of Animal Defenders International to The Independent, “Politicians have now sent a clear instruction to the Government and they should now proceed with a ban. This debate and vote has exposed the Government and demonstrated just how out of touch they have been with their peers, the public and animal welfare groups.”

Last month ADI released the results of an online poll that showed 72% of the public backed the ban. Last year another survey by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs found that 94.5% of the public supported a ban.

During the debate retired Col. Bob Stewart, a former army officer and Conservative legislator shared a compassionate story about an abandoned circus bear he found while he commanded United Nations forces in Bosnia.

He said in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, “I found a bear in a cage in no man’s land. He had been left there for four weeks without water, he was entirely miserable (and) wouldn’t even be coaxed out of his cage by honey,” Stewart said.

Stewart said soldiers were eventually able to move the bear to Croatia, and that the animal was later moved to the Netherlands.

“He’s now in Amsterdam Zoo and full of life. I fully support the idea of banning animals in cages,” Stewart said.

Thursday’s vote doesn’t force the government to actually implement a ban. The motion was to “direct” the Government to introduce a ban by July 1. The Animal Welfare minister, Jim Paice told the House of Commons that if their debate led to the approval of the motion, the government would respect the decision.

The RSPCA said: “This is a win for democracy as well as animal welfare.” It hoped the Government would quickly and formally announce a ban.

ADI has been actively working toward a circus ban and exposed abuse to Anne, an elephant used in Bobby Roberts’ Super Circus earlier this year. Anne has been moved to a sanctuary.

Editor’s note: A big thank you to everyone who signed the activist petition to end the use of animals in UK circuses. The petition received over 3,000 signatures. Let’s hope other countries follow in the UK’s footsteps and end animal abuse in circuses.

Photo courtesy of Animal Defenders International

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Anna N.

3:26AM PDT on Sep 26, 2011

That's great!

send a green star

Donna H.

6:00PM PDT on Sep 18, 2011

A circus is no place for any animal.

Martha E.

4:36PM PDT on Aug 22, 2011

I can always count on the trolls putting in 1% against a humane idea.

Yes, circuses are a thing of the past, at least regarding live animals. You learn, you grow, you change. How long, I wonder, will it take America to outlaw this?! A long time, I'm sure.

KrassiAWAY B.

2:04PM PDT on Jul 8, 2011

Noted with hope.

Kim B.

11:07AM PDT on Jun 30, 2011

That is great news! Wild animal's belong in the wild!

Rachel J.

9:54AM PDT on Jun 30, 2011

Awesome! Now let's do the same in the US and end animal abuse in circuses like Ringling Brothers!

Petra H.

8:49PM PDT on Jun 29, 2011

I'm glad politicians can come with positive move too. Now continue to move on ban all animals in circuses. Then go worldwide.

Past Member .

6:02PM PDT on Jun 29, 2011

hope :)

Frank B.

3:41PM PDT on Jun 29, 2011

So, are circus animals unhappy? All of them? Oh, just the wild ones. I see. Which ones are they then? When wolves, alligators, pythons, rabbits, snails etc etc are kept as pets, is it really that easy to decide? Are well-cared-for sealions and dolphins, animals that have never known any but the captive environment, 'unhappy' wild animals? Should we listen to a couple of anecdotes about a maltreated bear and an abused elephant and generalise to ALL circus animals. Only the wild ones you say? Or the unhappy ones?

Well, of course I'm against the abuse of circus or any animals, but it should be the abuse we stop rather than heavy-handedly supporting an ill-defined measure that may or may not eliminate performing dogs or sealions. (Back to the definition of 'wild animal'.) Do YOU know that they're worse off in their circus roles than if they hadn't been born at all, that they're inevitably ill-treated, that they don't 'enjoy' their circus life? Unless you're quite sure of that, be wary of giving unreserved support to the blunt instrument of the legislation which, it seems, is being proposed.

wooddragon x.

3:17PM PDT on Jun 29, 2011

Bernard t....

I too am worried that the right wing cons might make a u turn on the hunting with dogs act. And if so, then we will have to take to the streets again!!