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Saturday, 31st July 2010

Should Kenilworth circus keep its elephant?

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Published Date: 24 March 2006
Animal rights campaigners protested when the circus came to Kenilworth.
Members of West Midlands Animal Action were due to hand out leaflets at Bobby Roberts' Super Circus's first performance yesterday evening (Thursday).
The group is particularly opposed to the use of an elephant called Anne, which it would like to be
moved to a sanctuary in America.
Animal Action member Steve Williams said: "There is absolutely no reason for any circus to provide entertainment using animals. There are many human performers who are far better.
"Animals do not want to be subjected to this routine of being transported around every week and then moved into a brightly-lit, noisy environment with people shouting and screaming. There is no justification for continuing to use them in a civilised society."
Mr Williams said using wild animals in circus acts was due to be abolished in the government's Animal Welfare Bill, currently before Parliament.

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Bobby Roberts is one of around ten circuses in the country still using animals, and the only one with an elephant. The 53-year-old animal does not perform, but appears during the interval, when children can have their photo taken with her.
A circus spokesman told the Weekly News it treated its animals well.
He said: "We have all the veterinary certificates and had inspectors in two weeks ago. We are members of the circus proprietors association and all the animals are well cared for and looked after 24-hours-a-day.
"We have new stabling which costs £6,000 and meets all the requirements."
He added there were many other attractions at the circus, including a Mongolian troupe, Romanian dancers and Hungarian jugglers, as well as favourites Ivor the Ringmaster and Bobbo the Clown.
He added: "A lot of effort is put into the programme. We have a live circus orchestra and the most up-to-date lighting.
"We wouldn't be here if people didn't come. Normally the first night is full, and the big top will hold 900 people."
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  • Last Updated: 24 March 2006 3:20 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Kenilworth
 
 
 


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