There's one thing most Brits have always been firm about, and that's their determination to contribute to animals’ welfare as much as they can.
A new Bill has been announced that'll ban circuses from using wild animals in their performances, according to UNILAD’s Lucy Connolly.
For centuries, circuses across the United Kingdom have kept wild animals such as camels, elephants, zebras, and big cats – lions, tigers, in poor and unsanitary conditions, while driving them across the country and making them perform on stage to entertain the masses.
On May 1st, 2019 UK’s Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced a new bill to ban the use of wild animals in traveling circuses, a publication on the official website of the British government reads.
The Wild Animals in Circuses Bill outlaws the use of wild animals in circuses operating in the territory of the UK.
Gove’s colleague, Animal Welfare Minister David Rutley said:
“I am pleased that today’s legislation will deliver on the ban that many welfare charities and parliamentarians have been calling for. The general public can still enjoy a trip to the circus, but it is good to know that wild animals will no longer be a part of that experience.”
As I said above, the positive signal has resonated with some of the most influential animal protection organizations, such as the Animal Defenders International (ADI). In an official statement released yesterday, its President Jan Creamer commented:
“We are delighted and relieved that the UK Government is bringing in its promised legislation to ban wild animals in circuses. Animal Defenders International has documented suffering and abuse in UK circuses for more than 20 years, and this long-awaited measure will stop circus suffering in England, and take us another step closer to the UK-wide ban the public want and the animals need.”
Few organizations in the United Kingdom are more concerned with the welfare of all animals in the country than the British Veterinary Association. Simon Doherty, BVA President, didn't conceal his satisfaction with yesterday’s great news from 10 Downing Street:
“We are delighted to see this coming into law following a long and sustained campaign and a huge groundswell of public support. While this issue may not affect a great number of individual animals, a ban is emblematic of how we should be treating animals in modern world”.
Sadly, the current ban only applies to the use of wild animals in circuses in the United Kingdom, meaning that performances or domestic animals such as horses or donkeys are still legal. Still, vets and animal welfare experts will be closely monitoring the conditions they are kept in.
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