Circuses are a byword for cruelty to animals
Date
4/12/2015 4:38:34 AM
(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Activists call for ban on use of animals birds.
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Until a few years ago circuses were synonymous with performing animals including wild ones such as lions tigers and elephants besides acts by monkeys horses dogs and a variety of birds. But with increasing awareness about the need to prevent both physical and mental harassment of creatures wild and domestic there is a growing international trend to do away with animals in circuses.
Indian legislation relating to animals is also quite progressive though enforcement is as usual patchy. Two bodies — the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) — deal with the laws relating to cruelty of animals. Thankfully these bodies also have the backing of vibrant civil society organisations such as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations and People for Animals (PFA).
Last week a PETA team initiated action against a circus in Nanded in Maharashtra’s Marathawada region and got several animals — including four elephants camels horses and dogs — and some exotic birds released and sent to shelters. A local court also dismissed the plea of the circus to retain custody of the animals and birds housed in cramped and filthy living spaces.
Dr Manilal Valliyate co-opted member of the AWBI and director of veterinary affairs PETA India told this correspondent that Moonlight circus — which had earlier been deregistered by the board because of frequent violations — illegally used animals at its shows. “With growing awareness among government agencies the police and even citizens in metros and major cities about the cruelty of animals circuses are now shifting to smaller cities where they use all kinds of animals” he says.
Valliyate and others from PETA conducted a nine-month-long nationwide investigation probing 16 circuses and exposing the illegal practices at these shows. “We provided photographic evidences of these illegal acts” says Valliyate.
India has banned the use of all wild animals — except elephants — in circuses though it allows the use of domestic animals. Animal rights activists are calling for a complete ban on the use of birds and animals in circuses.
There is a growing trend internationally to ban all animals and birds from performing in circuses. About 35 countries prohibit the use of animals and birds in circuses and many states and municipalities in the US have also imposed such bans.
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