We have asked East Ayrshire Council not to give a licence to Bobby Roberts’ Super Circus to set up next month in Kilmarnock.
Bobby Roberts Circus features animals including a camel, performing horses and dogs. The circus also tours with a 57-year old elephant, Anne, who suffers from arthritis and who, we think, should be spared the arduous travel, inadequate temporary accommodation, and public display that are part and parcel of the circus life.
In their role as landlords, East Ayrshire Council brought in a policy of not leasing its land to circuses using wild animals following a visit by Bobby Roberts Circus in 2007. The Council had told them that the elephant must no be used in performance, but Advocates for Animals were able to show that she was brought into the ring all the same, and during last year’s tour the elephant and camel were not brought to Kilmarnock.
However, whether or not the wild animals are brought to the location, Advocates for Animals believes that the Council would be justified in refusing a public entertainment licence on the grounds of animal welfare and public interest.
In the joint letter with the Captive Animals Protection Society, OneKind's' Policy Director Libby Anderson told that Council that many complaints had been received about Anne on the last tour of Scotland and that scientific evidence now supported our view that “the distress and suffering of animals are inherent in travelling circuses."
The Circus is scheduled to perform for the period of 13 to 18 July 2010 in Kilmarnock. If you live in East Ayrshire, please show your support for animals by not going.