Despite its continuing commitment to end the use of wild animals in circuses, the ban that the British government first promised back in March 2012 has failed to materialise.
This inaction has resulted in an increase in the number of wild circus animals, including the return of lions and tigers to Britain, filmed by ADI exhibiting abnormal behaviour not seen in the wild.
Until the ban is secured, these animals will continue to suffer and we could see a continuing rise in the number of animals, including species not currently used - one circus has already stated to the media that it would not rule out having an elephant. An unthinkable prospect given the terrible suffering previously documented by ADI of Anne the elephant and elephants at the Great British Circus.
We have one chance to bring in the ban that we were promised ahead of the 2015 General Election - and that is to get behind a new bill introduced by Jim Fitzpatrick MP which if passed would ban the use of wild animals in circuses.
Please take action today and help stop circus suffering in Britain once and for all - back the bill, sign the petition and encourage your friends and family to do so too.
Petition to back the bill to ban wild animal acts in British circuses by 2015
Dear Prime Minister
I am extremely disappointed that a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses in Britain has yet to be passed, more than two years after the Government announced that it would prohibit such acts, three years after backbench MPs voted for such a ban, and repeated assurances that a ban would be passed, including from yourself personally.
In this time, Colombia, Belgium, Paraguay, El Salvador and Panama have all introduced nationwide bans. Meanwhile, in Britain, the number of wild circus animals has increased and big cats have returned to the big top.
Even with the best will in the world, it is simply not possible to fulfil the physical and psychological needs of wild animals in a travelling circus. In addition, wherever Animal Defenders International has conducted undercover investigations, they have documented brutal training methods and casual violence – such as the terrible beatings inflicted on Anne the elephant by a member of staff, evidence of which led to the conviction of her owner under the Animal Welfare Act.
There is no place for wild animals in circuses today and I urge you to fulfil the will of the public, and parliament, and support the Ten Minute Rule Bill introduced by Jim Fitzpatrick MP so that the promised ban can be delivered ahead of the 2015 General Election.
On behalf of the animals that, without legislative action, continue to suffer, thank you.
