Animal rights groups protest against circus
THE circus performing in Berwick this week was given the green light to continue following a protest by animal rights campaigners.
As it pitched its big top at Shielfield Park this week, the Bobby Roberts Super Circus denied accusations that it features pregnant horses in its acts. A spokesperson for the circus also said it was ”disgusted” by the way a former employee had treated an elephant, and that the matter is now in the hands of a police.
The allegations of mistreatment arose after video footage showing a Bobby Roberts employee striking an elderly elephant with a pitchfork and punching a camel hit the national news earlier this year.
The footage was filmed in the circus’s winter quarters, and Anne, the 58 year-old elephant seen being attacked, has since been moved to Longleat Safari Park.
But this has done little to quell the opposition to the circus from groups such as Animal Defenders International (ADI), who are still angry about the Government’s recent decision not to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.
Jan Creamer, chief executive of ADI, said: “ADI’s recent exposé at the winter quarters of Bobby Roberts Super Circus, which showed the appalling abuse of Anne the elephant and Monty the camel and led to a worldwide public outcry, has provided the Government with the perfect opportunity to ban the use of wild animals in circuses, which is what the public wants, politicians want, and animal welfare groups want.
“It’s time that this Government faced up to their responsibilities and implemented an outright ban without further delay.”
A member of Newcastle Animal Rights made the journey up the A1 to protest in Berwick against the circus, which opened on Tuesday night and had a second performance last night.
Armed with a megaphone and banners emblazoned with the words ‘Stop Circus Suffering’ for the group’s protest, he said: “We’ve had many dealings with Mr Roberts and his circus; we’ve chased him all over the north east. We staged a big protest outside Blaydon Rugby Club when the circus was there and most recently at Gosforth Racecourse where it was last week.
“We’re expecting a few people to come and join the protest in Berwick and we’ll also be going up to Edinburgh when the circus goes there.”
Advertiser reader Tania Cairns said she was “really, really shocked” to hear that the circus was still in operation and coming to Berwick, particularly when an acrobat-only circus had proven such a hit in Galashiels.
She said: “I thought their licence would have been taken away. Everyone was shocked by what was on the news and I can’t believe that some shops have got posters advertising the circus up in their windows.
“The way the animals were treated was disgusting. If it was a child getting beaten they wouldn’t have got away with it!”
But following a visit to Shielfield on Tuesday morning, officers from Northumberland County Council were satisfied there was no foul play in Berwick this week.
A spokesperson for the county council said: “I am able to confirm that a visit was made today at which time officers inspected the animals, loose boxes and transport facilities. No issues were identified in respect of animal welfare.”
Speaking to the Advertiser earlier this week, circus member Moira Roberts made her own reassurances.
She said: “Firstly we don’t use any mares in the show, preganant or not. We’ve would never mix them with stallions. There are a few of the horses who are a bit overweight, but they’re certainly not pregnant.
“Before the footage of Anne came to light, Billy had an unblemished record stretching 60 years. We have seen the video like everyone else and it is absolutely disgusting.
“But it’s like if something happens to a child when they’re in the care of a babysitter, you can’t always blame the parents.
“I can assure everyone that we launched our own investigation into what had happened. When supervised the man involved never gave us any cause for concern, he treated the animals well.
“Since all of this came to light he has disappeared off the face of the earth. We have given the police all his details and we want him prosecuted.
“We wouldn’t be in the circus business if we didn’t care about the animals and I’d like to think our customers will still support us.”
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Weather for Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Thursday 24 May 2012
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