No evidence of cruelty at circus
Trading standards officers say they found "no evidence" of animal cruelty when they visited a circus in Leicestershire.
It comes after animal rights group Animal Defenders International released undercover footage of elephants at the Great British Circus – which came to Glen Parva in April – being beaten by a groom. The circus said the man was "instantly sacked" when bosses became aware of his behaviour in May, months before they were made aware of the video.
A spokesman for County Hall's trading standards said: "We found that they were complying with animal health legislation."
The circus, which has been coming to Glen Parva for years, is set up on private land owned by farmer Peter Thomas. He said: "I am an animal lover so I wouldn't accept cruelty. I haven't seen anything that I would consider as cruelty."
Circus spokesman Chris Barltrop said: "If these animal charities were actually interested in animal welfare they would have reported this straight away so that action could be taken."
3 Comments
by Catherine Ryal, UK
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 1:27PM
“Current legislation does NOT protect these animals. The undercover footage from ADI is merely a small illustration of the routine abuse of animals that has been going on in circuses for years. In something as transient and secretive as a circus, 'evidence' is hard to come by, but that does not mean that cruel practices in husbandry and training are the rule rather than the exception. In my opinion these elephants should be immediately confiscated. My plea to Peter Thomas is that he withdraw his support from this circus and let them nowhere near his land in future.”
by Chitra, Leicester
Monday, August 24 2009, 12:24PM
“Trading standards officers say they found "no evidence" of animal cruelty when they visited a circus in Leicestershire. Does it really matter where???? These elephant badly. I would advise to go on website You tube - Circus Elephant suffering Great British circus. This is not a joke.”
by VR, Leic
Monday, August 24 2009, 9:19AM
“The fact the animals are still in circus' is cruel.”