On stilts at back, Cassandra, from left, Linda, Nino, Michelle, Deanna, Doug, Maryanne, Jude, Paul, Kylie, Magda, Celeste and Shane protest over the use of animals in the Lennon Bros Circus at Cranbourne. 84493 Picture: Donna Oates
By Bridget Cook
PROTESTORS created uproar over the use of animals at a circus in Cranbourne on Saturday.
More than 10 members from Justice for Australian Circus Animals protested outside the Lennon Bros Circus, the oldest touring circus in the country.
On its website, Lennon Bros Circus states it is one of only two circuses in Australia with big cats in the program.
It says the circus includes three lions, as well as horses, monkeys, camels, llamas, geese and dogs.
Justice for Australian Circus Animals spokesperson Stephanie Dyer claimed animals used in circuses live miserable, sad and deprived lives.
“Circus animals are routinely subjected to months on the road for thousands of hours over long distances,” she said.
“Animals are confined to small barren cages on trucks known as beast wagons, and are forced to stand, sit and sleep in their own excrement.
“When circus animals are not travelling, exotic animals such as lions and monkeys are confined to small barren enclosures virtually all of their lives, while forced to suffer extreme physical and psychological deprivation.
“Depriving these beautiful creatures of the freedom to roam and to engage in other instinctual behaviours is inherently cruel and causes severe stress and frustration to non-domesticated animals.”
Ms Dyer said it was unconscionable that federal and state governments allowed animal circuses to continue to exploit animals.
“Circuses such as Cirque du Soleil, CircusOz have shown animals are not required to entertain people,” she said.
“Animal-free circuses have proven to be thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining.
“It is important the community is aware of what circus animals are forced to endure every day of their miserable lives. We believe it is only a matter of time before the public says no to animal circuses.”
National, regional and local governments in at least 30 countries have already banned the use of exotic or all animals in circuses.
A number of Australian councils are taking part in this trend, including neighbouring council, the City of Greater Dandenong.
City of Casey manager community strengthening Janette Green said circuses located temporarily in Casey typically did so on private land – and not on council owned land, as was the case with the Lennons Bros Circus.
“Circuses such as these are not required to obtain a planning permit from council,” she said.
Ms Green said circuses were required to follow the State Government’s ‘Good Neighbour Code of Practice for a Circus’ and the Circus Federation of Australia ensured their members complied with the various codes of conduct and legislation relating to Animal Welfare in Circuses.
“Circuses are required to meet the Federal Government’s National Guidelines for Animal Welfare which outlines the national standard for the management and control of circuses in Australia,” she said.
“Circuses are also subject to inspections from the RSPCA.”
Lennon Bros Circus did not want to comment.
For more information on circus guidelines visit www.circusfed.org.au/index.shtml or www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/welfare/nccaw/guidelines/display/circus.
