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| Circus animal report looks at ban | Circus animal report looks at ban |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A report looking into whether there are scientific grounds for outlawing the use of wild animals in circus acts is set to be published later. | A report looking into whether there are scientific grounds for outlawing the use of wild animals in circus acts is set to be published later. |
| The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs-commissioned report, examines whether animals like lions and tigers should be banned from circuses. | The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs-commissioned report, examines whether animals like lions and tigers should be banned from circuses. |
| There are around 47 wild animals in UK circuses, including 11 big cats. | There are around 47 wild animals in UK circuses, including 11 big cats. |
| Circus animals are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which prevents cruelty or suffering to vertebrates. | Circus animals are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which prevents cruelty or suffering to vertebrates. |
| The report was ordered after debates on the Animal Welfare Bill sparked concerns about the use of non-domesticated animals in circuses. | The report was ordered after debates on the Animal Welfare Bill sparked concerns about the use of non-domesticated animals in circuses. |
| I believe the circus is a valuable piece of popular culture, and in the traditional or classical circus, I believe the way forward is strict regulation and enforcing that regulation Chris BarltropCircus sub group chair class="" href="#bottom">Send us your comments | |
| name="top"> The working group carrying out the report consisted of three sub groups of representatives from the circus industry, animal welfare organisations and academics. | |
| Dr Mike Radford, a reader in animal welfare law from the University of Aberdeen, chaired the group. | Dr Mike Radford, a reader in animal welfare law from the University of Aberdeen, chaired the group. |
| Chris Barltrop, circus sub group chairman, said he did not believe there should be a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses. | Chris Barltrop, circus sub group chairman, said he did not believe there should be a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses. |
| "I believe the circus is a valuable piece of popular culture, and in the traditional or classical circus, I believe the way forward is strict regulation and enforcing that regulation," he said. | "I believe the circus is a valuable piece of popular culture, and in the traditional or classical circus, I believe the way forward is strict regulation and enforcing that regulation," he said. |
| The group was asked to look only at non-domesticated animals - those that are a member of a species that is not normally domesticated in the British Islands. | The group was asked to look only at non-domesticated animals - those that are a member of a species that is not normally domesticated in the British Islands. |
| Kangaroo | Kangaroo |
| According to information supplied by the circus industry sub-group, there are four circuses that use non-domesticated animals in their acts. | According to information supplied by the circus industry sub-group, there are four circuses that use non-domesticated animals in their acts. |
| These include: a kangaroo, llamas, reindeer, lions, tigers, camels and even crocodiles. | These include: a kangaroo, llamas, reindeer, lions, tigers, camels and even crocodiles. |
| Five other circuses use only domesticated animals, mainly dogs and horses. | Five other circuses use only domesticated animals, mainly dogs and horses. |
| A Defra spokeswoman said the Animal Welfare Act introduced a "duty of care" for any animal under the control of man, which ensures owners and keepers are responsible for the welfare needs of their animals. | A Defra spokeswoman said the Animal Welfare Act introduced a "duty of care" for any animal under the control of man, which ensures owners and keepers are responsible for the welfare needs of their animals. |
| The duty applies to animals kept in circuses, that are pets, farmed animals and other domestic and companion animals. | The duty applies to animals kept in circuses, that are pets, farmed animals and other domestic and companion animals. |
| "Defra has a commitment to producing regulations on the welfare of wild animals in circuses under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, so we await this report with interest and will consider the report's findings in detail," the spokeswoman said. | "Defra has a commitment to producing regulations on the welfare of wild animals in circuses under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, so we await this report with interest and will consider the report's findings in detail," the spokeswoman said. |
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