No circus for schools

Nicholas Laferla

Nov 26th 2009, 22:12

@ Alison Bezzina

Well said, ill surely be boycotting the event & Pippo's or peppi's, whatever the name is, and i strongly urge anyone who has the slightest idea of what kind of feelings these animals have,and what they have to go through to perform in these circuses to boycott the event..

We have enough activities to entertain our children..

S. Zahra

Nov 26th 2009, 21:27

I 100% agree with this decision!

Next year we should ban that such circus enters our country!

Alison Bezzina

Oct 29th 2009, 08:28

This is the best piece of news in ages....finally....we're getting civilised. JR productions are just after the profit...they also run Pippo's Restaurant in Sliema....boycott that too....! this is the only language they understand...money!

Dave Gladwish

Oct 25th 2009, 05:24

Fantastic news!

Isabella Peresso Fiorentino

Oct 24th 2009, 20:39

Hurray !!!! A small victory for the animals. Well done Ms Sciberras!

M Cuschieri

Oct 24th 2009, 17:28

Fantastic news......news that has made my day! :) :) Well done Micheline Sciberras. The subjects of animal rights and animal cruelty should be at the top of the list of subjects to be discussed at educational institutions. Animals also have rights, which is the duty of a civilised society to defend!

Jessica Henry

Oct 24th 2009, 16:12

I am elated at the thought that someone somewhere on this island has finally seen sense! Well done to Ms.Sciberras for her actions! I commend you. But this is just a small step in stopping the circus from coming here. And for all those who believe the article when it says, ''JR Productions, which is bringing the circus over, has given reassurances that it abides by the necessary EU animal and veterinary regulations.'' keep in mind, people will say and do ANYTHING for money.

Lisa Schembri

Oct 24th 2009, 14:30

@ M. M. bonnici.

Oh how stupid of me - to think that animals actually have feelings . Gosh do i feel silly indeed....

My feelings towards farmed animals you ask? I feel disgusted when I think about it. YES i do eat meat, YES I buy it pre-packed...and NO I cannot stop cruelty to animals by myself just by talking about it. But I feel there should be the proper education in schools and also for adults for awareness against animal cruelty.

Going to the circus is in not in any way educational, school children should be taken to museums, plays and art galleries. These things build character and general knowledge which I feel people in Malta lack at times.
Ijja we have a lot of *bravi* here; lawyers, doctors, engineers etc... But when asked a simple question about history for instance they are completely blank.

No one is stopping you from going to the circus but you are only encouraging and funding circus owners to keep on. A circus, whether it insists of sheep or crocodiles is STILL a circus to me; using domestic animals does not justify anything.

Charmaine Marmara'

Oct 23rd 2009, 07:46

At last something with sense. If it was for me i wouldn't bring the circus here in malta at all. Haven't we got enough clowns here already !!!! And for those poor things to perform 3 times a day for our amusement it's unnatural and abusive. And to all of you who are going, shame on you and hope your children grow up to be more intelligent then you are.

Joseph Caruana

Oct 22nd 2009, 22:53

Ole!!

strike. Though I doubt this will hold back students from attending the Circus under their parents instill them with respect for animals.

M Williams

Oct 22nd 2009, 22:14

@Mark Mifsud Bonnici
re: If you can prove that this particular circus does mistreat animals then you would be believed. 'hanno trovato solo due scimmie, una cieca e l' altra semiparalizzata, incatenate alla loro gabbia e chiuse in un carrozzone senza luce, e una coniglia incinta' and 'L' operazione della Forestale era scattata dopo il sopralluogo effettuato giovedì scorso dai veterinari della Asl Rm/C che avevano constatato nel circo la violazione delle norme sui diritti degli animali, tenuti in gabbie troppo piccole rispetto a quelle previste dai regolamenti. For whole article see:
http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2006/febbraio/09/sono_scomparse_tigri_circo_co_10_060209004.shtml
@JR productions... so much for reassurances about abiding to regulations! Not only did the Circus not abide by regulations but it tried to avert the course of justice!

On a positive note well done Ms Sciberras! Next step, can we have the reinstatement of the Animal Awareness programme in schools,please? Maybe we can then look forward to a more compassionate future generation. Although it is encouraging that most of the comments which have appeared are against animals performing in circuses, it is sad that some misguided individuals consider this barbarity educational and fun to watch!

Dr Antoine Spiteri

Oct 22nd 2009, 22:01

This is a smart decision

Rosalind Dougall

Oct 22nd 2009, 20:56

I'm glad this decision was taken.

Finally someone seems to have some brains and not support this barbaric industry.

And before someone tried to attack my comment - I am a vegeterian. Does that make me more adequate to express me opinion against the cruelty involved in training animals to do unnatural tricks simply for people's entertainment and gain? I don't think so.

There's people out there who may not be vegeterians, simply because their bodies won't allow them to enjoy good health without meat consumption. I do encourage people to opt for free range products if they've got to eat meat though... even though such products tend to be a bit pricey.

Franco Farrugia

Oct 22nd 2009, 19:24

You don't know what I eat, but I know what you do. You go abroad to massacre animals and then come back with the prize. The very little meat that I consume, I buy it, whereas you plunder and rape the wild, and get it for free. I never rob people from the pleasure of seeing animals - such as birds - moving freely in their natural ambience but you do. So, let the readers see for themselves who is the hypocrite.

Andrea Portelli

Oct 22nd 2009, 16:57

Hats off to Micheline Sciberras and Co.


I can't believe people still actually go to circus'

"However, JR Productions, which is bringing the circus over, has given reassurances that it abides by the necessary EU animal and veterinary regulations."

People will say anything as long as profits come their way!!

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Oct 22nd 2009, 16:48

Franco Farrugia

I "butcher" birds and subsequently eat them, no less the you eat the animals other butcher for you.

That is what defines you as a hypocrite. If you had to kill your cow before you had your slice of meat you would prove me wrong. But as things stand you would rather have others do your dirty work for you and probably call them butchers too.

So you see, butchers are part of our lives whether they butcher, farmed animal or birds.

I leave it up to all the people who know you to classify you as either the purist you claim to be or the person who prefers others to butcher animals for him.

I'm afraid your perception of animal rights is as warped as your logic about the matter. Convenience seems to get the better part of you.

Franco Farrugia

Oct 22nd 2009, 16:10

@ Mark Mifsud Bonnici - I, a hypocrite in matters that have to do with animals? You must be joking. Shows how much you know me. Ask people who really know me and you will see what I am worth. I don't go around butchering birds and other animals from the sky as you do, you know!

chris mizzi

Oct 22nd 2009, 16:05

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Ice-Skating-Bear-From-Russian-Circus-Troupe-Kills-Its-Trainer-During-Rehearsal-In-Kyrgyzstan/Article/200910415411582?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15411582_Ice-Skating_Bear_From_Russian_Circus_Troupe_Kills_Its_Trainer_During_Rehearsal_In_Kyrgyzstan

Charles Taliana

Oct 22nd 2009, 15:55

Who can't saye that the children won't go with their parents or even unaccompanied. Is there going to be someone at the entrance who is going to photograph them or even stop them fom entering after having purchesed their entrance ticket? I have no pleasure to attend because last one I have been too must have been over 25years ago.

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Oct 22nd 2009, 15:26

Lisa Schembri and co.

Can you please explain how animals "look very unhappy"?

I have seen several animals going into the abattoir smiling, some even laughing, yet I have never been able to tell when they where unhappy.

Attributing human qualities to animals is what conditions such ridiculous arguments.

Animals are to be treated properly whether they are captive or wild. Domesticated animals, which are those we keep because we eat them, are given all they need to be fattened and subsequently slaughtered. If you object to an animal being in a circus then what is your opinion about farmed animals.

People like Franco Farrugia, who admits to occasionally eating meat seems to object to circus animals but conveniently keeps his silence about farmed animals. These are the hypocrites we unfortunately have to live with.

If you can prove that this particular circus does mistreat animals then you would be believed. Until then your opposition can only be termed as an ideology being imposed upon those that see circus animals as a fantastic feat of animal domestication. If circus animals were cows, pigs, sheep and bulls would all hell break loose. These were once wild too!!!

J. Borg

Oct 22nd 2009, 15:24

Well done to the Directorate

Claire Busuttil

Oct 22nd 2009, 15:12

Wow this is great news, finally a good decision!!!!

Lisa Schembri

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:39

@Vanessa Grech - A circus without animals is called evolution from barbaric practises. It is true that people still eat meat but those animals are not used solely for our grotesque amusement. A tiger, chicken, pig or a penguin cannot decide its faith, they cannot sign a contract. I am not a vegetarian but I could very well live without meat, I already kind of do anyway.

Human circuses are way more entertaining in my opinion anyway; fire eaters, sword swallowing, acrobats, and trapeze artists. Contortionism is really cool too.

Warren Magro

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:37

@ Franco.

The decision was made for the same reason why they would not allow them to have such visits even if there were no animals involved. It has nothing to do with education. This constant exposure in the newspapers had nothing to do with the Education Department's decision and is alll about free advertising for the circus. If not, then why is there a little note at the end of every article letting people know when they can go see this show.

Please take the blinkers off.

Lisa Schembri

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:09

It’s about time!!!
I remember going to circus with my school when I was around 12 years old...I also remember being incredibly upset because the animals looked very unhappy; naturally.
Lions, tigers, seals, penguins and even your pet budgie! Should be in the wild where they belong, living their life, having babies & roaming where they want – just like we do!

Claire Caruana

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:07

@ Mrs V.Grech
Why the fuss? Nobody is stopping you from taking your children to the circus. The article is simply saying that the schools won't be including the Circus as part of their yearly outings.

Franco Farrugia

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:02

At Vanessa Grech. May I suggest that you google something like "pictures animals in circus" or something to that effect, but I am not responsible for the horrors that you see. Your argument in which you equate performing animals with the necessity of eating some meat is too ridiculous for words.
If you want to see animals, I suggest that you watch some particular TV channel. But don t pay and encourage people who are far from professional as you think, from continuing this disgusting way of life - that of keeping animals locked up in small cages for most of the year.
Have you ever thought how animals feel when they are moved from place to place? Overseas? Trains? Roads? Even a cat, at home, feels distraught when you even change the position of a sofa! Imagine these animals!

Vanessa Grech

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:04

Excuse me, but what is a circus without animals?? All over the world children attend circuses with animals. Children like to go to the circus especially for the animals. I think these are professional people who care for the animals and treat them right. I'd like to know how many of these people who are in favour don't eat meat, cows and pigs and hens are also animals.

Franco Farrugia

Oct 22nd 2009, 10:40

Well done to all those who have come to this intelligent decision! Congratulations to Ms Sciberras. I know of schools where love and respect for animals is a top priority.
It is not enough to abide by rules and regulations. We have to do much more than that. And JR Productions is out to make money over animals! Why didn t this company engage a circus without animals?

Annalise Falzon

Oct 22nd 2009, 10:32

Great news! Well done for this decision!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/animalslavery/index.html