Animal-free circuses are still entertaining - campaigners

deb bugeja

Jan 6th 2009, 17:10

I just wonder how some people can assume themselves mighty over animals even though knowing animals are being abused. What is really right? that the humans beings enjoy just a show? or that animals are no longer abused?

wally vella-zarb

Jan 6th 2009, 00:23

@S.Callus
"But I wonder if there are any actual statistics to prove that more people in Malta prefer to see animal-free circus shows versus ones with animals in them."

No need for statistics: the promoters themselves felt the pulse of the paying public and took a normal, rational, business decision. They decided - not the government, not the NGO's - that it was, at least, just as profitable to get an animal-free circus. Not one, but two. Both were a resounding success, I am glad to note.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Jan 6th 2009, 00:11

On the other hand, the promoters weren't forced into bringing animal free circuses over

S Coleiro

Jan 5th 2009, 21:13

While some people may feel they don't want to watch animal circus shows because it's cruel, others may choose to watch such shows and may find them entertaining.
Not everyone is an 'animal lover'.
If an animal circus comes to Malta, people aren't forced to go there if they think it's cruel. And if an animal-free circus comes to Malta, non-'animal lovers' are not forced to go either.

But I wonder if there are any actual statistics to prove that more people in Malta prefer to see animal-free circus shows versus ones with animals in them.

RObert Callus

Jan 5th 2009, 20:15

@Anthony Formosa
Regarding seals and dolphins you are right. Maybe we (animal lovers) haven't made enough pressure. Dolphins have an added disadvantage because they seem they are always smiling.
While I'm against the way chickens are bred and their conditions, don't you think it would be a big unreachable goal to convince most people to become vegan? Come on

Anthony Formosa

Jan 5th 2009, 19:20

@Robert Callus, are teachers still taking students to watch the seals and dolphins?? is this place still open? Are Maltese still feeding an egg to their kids? does anyone knows how much chickens do suffer, keeping the lights on so that they produce and produce eggs. If anyone see a farmer with his donkey, both suffering for their living, I bet that everyone feel pity for the donkey but not for the farmer, in fact we try to lower the price for his product to make the farmer and the donkey suffers more. Do we really love animals? or it's another confrontation?

James galea

Jan 5th 2009, 19:16

Mind you all its not only the animals that suffer in circuses. Sometimes even small children do tricks which require lot of practice and harsh disipline. Hope that thay are not punished or beaten to achive thier goles.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Jan 5th 2009, 19:08

Marvin Mizzi...are you still enjoying the odd Christmas drink? Has the Govt banned animal circuses?

The NGO's did not dictate the Govt, but put pressure on promoters who have realised that an animal free circus is just as commercially viable.

SImple economics....

Franco Farrugia

Jan 5th 2009, 19:00

@ M. N Mifsud - Obviously, you are addressing the J FARRUGIA, and not myself.

n mifsud

Jan 5th 2009, 18:07

who are the "we" you are talking about Mr Farrugia??? I am an animal lover and i will never take my child to an animal circus. think about the animals as they are put into small cages to be transported from one place to another.

Joseph Caruana

Jan 5th 2009, 17:38

A true showcase of participatory democracy!! Prosit tas-sew!!

Franco Farrugia

Jan 5th 2009, 17:25

What a shame that Marvin MIzzi does not appreciate two very important things in life: NGOs and animals.
Mizzi has to realise that it's not a question of minorities - first of all, who ever said that we are speaking here of minorities? - but it's a question of what should be done and what should not be done.
In this case, it is not wise and ethical to make animals perform for us, human beings. It is just not right. If we are to respect the presence of animals around us, it is to PROTECT them and DEFEND THEM and not, as the J Farrugias of this tiny-dot-on-the-globe-named-Malta, use animals in order to satisfy our whims and fancies.

Animals ought not to be victims of business - they ought not be victims of man's politics. Animals are there with the same right as the presence of the human being.

And once again, Marvin Mizzi, the answer is NO. An emphatic NO. Animal lovers have right and the duty to protect animals and to ensure that animals do not form part of any circus!

Robert Callus

Jan 5th 2009, 16:40

@Marvin Mizzi
You are very wrong when talking about minority or majority, and the govt having to decide for the simple reason that animal circuses weren't banned.
Due to awareness by the NGO's and individuals, many people, especially school teachers and parents boycotted animal circuses and made them less profitable.
Isn't that legal enough for you?

Marvin Mizzi

Jan 5th 2009, 14:14

Shame Shame and Shame again ---- noww it is becoming typical when some NGO speaks it dictates we do not have a goverment but the NGOs dictate. Being right or wrong every one has to accept what this minority of people decides. Unacceptable. We all pay taxes and we all are supposed to have equal rights.... but unfortunately not................ this years circus are an example our children were deprive of the magic of a true circus because of these minority of people. If they do not want to see aimals in the circus they do not go put leave others enjoy ourselves be it circus being anything (lawlfullly intended) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Jeremy J Camilleri

Jan 5th 2009, 13:48

J Farrugia uses the term we...is that the royal plural?

He always adresses himself as we ...wonder why...

Ps...Dear J Farrugia....when it comes to circuses...(WE) animal lovers have won this round.....

ENjoy it.,..

Anthony Formosa

Jan 5th 2009, 13:01

@J.Farrugia, if you wish to see an animal circus go to the rest of Europe, like myself, if I want to go hunting a have to go in the rest of Europe, it seems that the few Maltese are trying to set an example to the rest of Europe, and show the rest of the world that we're truly Christians. But what about the stray dogs and cats in our roads, are these suffering? do these belong to Maltese? almost every week I meet a flat cat on our roads, but who cares as long as we're deprived from things that others can enjoy.

Chris Abdilla

Jan 5th 2009, 12:30

@ Mr J Farrugia

"Are there no businessmen worthy of their name who can oppose these people?"

At the end of the day, a businessman will decide what circus to bring over, depending on what turnout he is planning to have - if there are more ppl willing to attend an animal-free circus, I don't think it will make sense bringing over an animal show just to spite people, unless he has money to throw away !.

Its wonderful to finally see that animal rights are putting pressure on the market !

a sultana

Jan 5th 2009, 11:59

There are 15 European countries that already have a
complete or partial prohibition on the use of animals acts in
circuses,`` ``In addition, Belgium, Austria and Poland have a ban on
the use of wild animals only``.

I hope Malta will become the 16th country!

a sultana

Jan 5th 2009, 11:57

Circuses perpetuate an outdated attitude that wild animals are our resource to use at any cost to their welfare

mr J Farrugia wants to see more of this!

" the elephants, so majestic and intelligent in nature, but forced by their trainers to wear feathers and sequins and walk on their hind legs. (Such tricks are dangerous. Walking on the hind legs can cause a large, balloon-like swelling around the elephant's rectum area. This intense pressure often leads to painful rectal hernias that can cause death.) "

"elephants were electroshocked in the ears, mouth, and anus, and bears had their noses broken and feet burned so that trainers could establish dominance. Other training devices include whips, muzzles, and tight collars."

J. Borg

Jan 5th 2009, 11:57

J. farrugia
Give us a break......hop off to the Kenya & enjoy the sight of wild animals

Miriam Williams

Jan 5th 2009, 11:14

@J Farrugia
Please speak for yourself Mr Farrugia! Who are the 'we' you are refering to? I will not take it upon myself to speak for the entire ' Maltese community', but I, for one, DO NOT wish to see animals in a circus and I am sure many others share my feelings. For years, my family have refused to visit the Circus as we do not feel that it is moral for animals to suffer just for our entertainment. This year we went to the Circus and enjoyed it all the more for knowing no creature was being exploited. So thank you to the organisers and we look forward to visiting a NON-Animal circus again next year.

J Farrugia

Jan 5th 2009, 10:51

IF THESE people THINK THAT THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH MURDER, THEY ARE WRONG. They are depriving us from seeing what we want, when we want, and where we want. We want to see animal circuses and because of them, maltese agents are afraid of bringing animal circuses into Malta thus discriminating against us the maltese community from viewing what other nations like other european nations do. The circus Montecarlo, the Italian Orfei circus and so many more. This is degrading treatment being metted out on the maltese population. It is useless in bringing other types of circuses. And the government is wrong in heeding to the advice of this lo. Are there no businessmen worthy of their name who can oppose these people?