Circuses not cruel to animals, says animal welfare director

Shirley Ann Brincat

Dec 9th 2011, 11:19

HARD TO BELIEVE . B.S. ! GO HOME !

claire palmer

Dec 16th 2009, 10:50

Ringling's Baby Elephants Tied Up and Electro-Shocked by Trainers | RinglingBeatsAnimals.com

EVIL!!!!!

jean abela

Dec 12th 2009, 18:02

nies bhalkom igaluni inhobb lannimalli iktr mil bniedem!!! kunu afa xjamlulom daw lannimalli qabel ma tifthu halqkom jew tmorru tarawom ic circu!!! jmisskom tisthu ta veru!!! min jaf kiku laffarijiet kienu bil-kontra ehhhh... alija min immur ic circu vera mandux rispett lej daw lannimalli u niddubita andux rispett lejh inniffsu.

proset il dawk kolla li marru jipprotestaw !!!!!!!!!!!

wendy mamo

Dec 12th 2009, 10:17

alex spiteri, i have a dog at home and he is treated like a king.hes not FORCED to do tricks for me AND I DONT make him travel around the world in tiny cages...watch some clips on youtube on how the animals are REALLY trained...kun af il fatti qabel ma tiftah halqek

Alex Spiteri

Dec 11th 2009, 20:47

To all those who are speaking against circuses, saying that animals are forced to do things which come unnatural, do you own a dog which is trained to respond to ‘sit’? Is it natural? Do you own a cat that is trained not to urinate all over the place but only in ‘litter boxes’? Do you castrate your pet cat? Is it natural? Do you think the animal is not suffering when being castrated? Do you partake in horse riding? If so you have no right to speak against animal training in circuses. And to those quoting studies that animals in circuses have elevated stress levels compared to animals in the wild, I can assure you that if you sample a human being during a normal day and compare to the human who is asked to relax for a day I can assure the stress levels during the normal day would be much higher! Animals in circuses are provided food, shelter and medicines; human beings also need to work to obtain these commodities.

wendy mamo

Dec 10th 2009, 16:24

@ Mark mifsud bonnici...re your comment : Certain animal rights activists go to the extreme of not eating eggs since according to them they are partaking in an abbortion. Is this what we expect our children to learn.

what would you rather teach your children? Im not a vegan, however i avoid eating meat as much as i can coz i dont see why millions of innocent animals should be slaughtered just for my stomach.humans are the real pigs in this world. and regards to the circus ...oh, i better not be rude!!!!

Josianne Williams

Dec 10th 2009, 12:59

Animals in circuses are ill treated, a recent study, carried out by the University of Bristol, found that, ' the deleterious effect that circus life has on individual animals is of primary welfare concern. Circus animals spend the majority of the day confined... the ability to execute many natural behaviours is severely reduced, with evidence of a concomitant reduction in welfare, health and reproduction...In many respects, and despite the lack of predation, food shortage and adverse environmental conditions, animals experience poorer welfare than animals of the same species living free...' (Lossa, Soulsbury and Harris, 2009)

How about instead of educating our children about animals in cages, we teach our children the importance of animal welfare and conservation, about the importance of natural behaviour and social interaction, I have never had the luxury of going abroad and seeing these animals in their natural environment, nor have I ever been to a circus (or do I intend to), I do not feel that this has hindered my ability to learn about and appreciate these beautiful animals as God intended them.
Veterinary Medicine student

Darren Frendo

Dec 10th 2009, 11:36

I agree totally with what mr Mario spiteri. I have seen modern circus training on tv on national geographic and the modern way of training these animals is by rewarding them not mis treating them. so before you all start shouting useless comments get your facts right. If you really want us to take you seriously provide photos of animals being mistreated during training ..recent photos but not of the 80 s !!!

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Dec 10th 2009, 10:19

Franco Farrugia.
I have every right to voice my opinion no less then you have. My hunting does not in any way relate to any form of cruelty to animals. If this were the case then slaughtering animals for human consumption would be considered cruel too. All the birds I hunt end up eaten, as do all the fish I catch.

If you are so against hunting, why then do you eat meat? it seems for you some "animals are there for the greater pleasure of" occasionally filling your stomach. I guess this too makes you a "man"

I'm afraid your reasoning is as warped as it gets.

W Spencer

Dec 10th 2009, 10:14

@ Alfred Farrugia

Perhaps we should feel pity for the people who DO want to watch animals which have been beaten, electrocuted, etc, into performing in the circus. Those who go to watch such animals, should be made to watch how the wild animals are forced to perform acts / tricks, etc , that are not natural behaviour for them ??

But then, I am one of the people who prefer animals, to the most feared, most cruel, most selfish, most dishonest, most immoral, most aggressive animals in the World .................
...........humans !!

Lorraine Vella

Dec 10th 2009, 07:40

now i have read it all! unbelievable. just unbelievable. of all people i expected to come out in favour of circuses, the least person i expected to do so was the director of animal welfare himself. ridiculous. shameful. worrying.

no more comments are needed.

Anai Rhoads

Dec 10th 2009, 05:47

Circuses may not be illegal, but keeping wildlife, whether born in captivity or captured, is unethical. For someone with an "animal welfare" title to claim that cages are humane is ludicrous. Mr. Spiteri further suggests that there is a double-standard with regards to pet shops. He misses the point entirely that no animal chooses to live in an enclosed area. If these animals loved being in cages so much, then why do they constantly plot their escape? If animals were given a choice, which most are not, they would walk out of those crates and never return.

Anai Rhoads
Friends of Animals
http://www.friendsofanimals.org

Karl Consiglio

Dec 9th 2009, 22:50

The circus comes and goes, but what about our horse driven Karrozini?

Douglas Fenech

Dec 9th 2009, 22:18

Although I don't totally agree with the article Mario Spiteri does raise a good point with his 'double standards' comment.

A lot of people don't really care about the well-being of chickens or the fact that many of them are simply bred to later be slaughtered. What about their well-being and psychological state?

But I guess chickens don't glisten like tigers do.

Mary Grace Vella

Dec 9th 2009, 21:10

I sincerely hope that such shallow remarks and narrow definition of animal rights reflects solely the personal opinion of Dr. Spiteri and not the official position of the Animal Welfare Promotion and Services Department. It is worth noting that the Circus Animal Rights Coalition way back in September had communicated its position to Dr. Spiteri asking him to take any action within his powers to prevent Circo Fantasy from coming to Malta, in view of its bad animal rights records however till the present day not even an acknowledgement was received from his Office.

M cremona

Dec 9th 2009, 20:41

I had a lot of respect for Mario Spiteri till i read this. For a person in his position to use the comparisons he used is very sad.

Claire Gafa

Dec 9th 2009, 20:38

I was shocked to hear and read Mario Spiteri's comments about the non cruelty to animal in circuses!!!!! He,of all people!!!!He should be the person to protect and defend animals!!!!
So,for him,being locked up in a cage and travelling from one place to another isn't cruelty? Instead of being free and living in their habitats? Does he know how these animals are trained? How much fear they endure? Is that ok for you Dr. M. Spiteri??? Is it ok,for the animals to suffer so much,so that he,and people like him go and entertain themselves!!!!! These people make me sick!!!!!

Martin Delveaux

Dec 9th 2009, 19:53

Circuses not cruel to animals? What a load of rubish Dr Spiteri! It has been proven that animals in captivity die much earlier - why do you think they die early? Because theya re so well treated and just love it behind bars? Why don't you swap with the animals if you think they are so well treated? I would even consider turining up to one of the shows then.

Donald Borg

Dec 9th 2009, 19:24

Do animals like tigers, lions etc suffer from claustrophobia? Human beings do suffer so I think that such animals can suffer too. Did these animals tell anyone that they prefer the life in a circus instead of the jungle. Human beings are selfish and dont care if these animals are happy or otherwise.

P Mifsud

Dec 9th 2009, 18:53

Mr Spiteri and all those defending circus animals, have you ever seen a clip of the cruelty involved in 'teaching' a bear how to dance? I had seen one once on TV and the horror of seeing the torture of having electric shocks administered to its feet to make it 'dance' has been imprinted into my soul. Wild animals of whatever species - even if born and bred in captivity - should NEVER be made to perform. It's totally unnatural.

Alfred Farrugia

Dec 9th 2009, 18:47

Some animals are more equal than others. Are we not also part of a circus? We were not born with clothes, should we discard them? We should not go to work because that is not our natural habitat! We should refuse to work in an office or a workshop. We should not send our children to school because that is not their natural habitat. Children should not stay in a cage, I mean classroom! They should not even be kept at home for similar reasons.

Are we going to extremes? Let us do our best to look after the welfare of all animals, including ourselves, but let us keep everything in its proper perspective. Do those who promote animal rights eat meat, or wear real leather shoes? Do they wear any clothes or use things made from animal products? Let us keep a reasonable balance.

How many children and adults have seen certain live animals? Do they have to travel abroad to see them? Those who are not interested in watching the circus are free to stay away. They have no right to obstruct others who are interested in watching the shows at the circus.

Sylvia Zammit

Dec 9th 2009, 18:02

I know this is Malta, but I must admit I never expected such a statement from one of the few animal lovers who carry influence! As for the reference to 'double standards' - we have long spoken out against pet shops,and suggested change in legislation too. Police Dog shows are something different - the aim is not to make money or to entertain, but to educate.

Dr Jennifer Williams

Dec 9th 2009, 17:46

What chance have the animals got when the very person who is supposed to protect them thinks it is OK for them to be kept in cages, in isolation, endure long journeys chain, tethered or encaged and inadequate climates and be trained forcefully to perfrom unnatural behaviour? Even if the animals are physically healthy (which they are often not) what about their mental well-being?
Research has shown that keeping wild animals in cramped conditions, in inadequate and unnatural social environments and subjecting them to repeated travel causes heightened stress responses that result in a serious negative impact on animal welfare.

This is no life for a wild animal. If there is nothing wrong with it why have circuses with animals been banned in forward-thinking countries such as Austria and Singapore? Even Bolivia has recently banned circuses with animals. Obviously there is a difference of opinion between our esteemed "animal welfare department director" and animal welfare official in other countries. Step down Dr Spiteri and let someone else speak up for the animals.

W Spencer

Dec 9th 2009, 17:36

Unfortunately people still go to watch those poor ill treated animals performing. Where there is a demand, people will supply. The simple answer is.........do not go to a circus that uses performing animals !!

There are some brilliant " animal free " circus' touring all over the World.

Monica Pace Bonello

Dec 9th 2009, 17:16

HILARIOUS!!!! now I can put the jigsaw together, @ Andrew Paris I think you have a brilliant idea there! hope to meet many tomorrow evening lets make that difference!

Maria Williams

Dec 9th 2009, 16:39

I can't believe what I am reading. The Director of Animal Welfare should be defending animals and not trying to pull the wool over people's eyes by comparing the circus with pet shops and Police dog parades. Is he following someone's hidden agenda or is this really his personal opinion? If he really believes that it is fine to keep tigers and other WILD animals in small cages, train them (by dubious methods) to do things which do not come naturally, subject them to travelling from place to place till they are too old/weak to earn their keep (and then what happens to them????), he has no right to the name of Director of Animal Welfare.

@Mark Mifsud Bonnici, you have made it clear in your correspondence often enough that to you birds are there to be shot or kept in small cages, so naturally you are in favour of circuses. Maybe the Education Division feels it has the duty to educate students by not participating in activities which exploit animals, seeing as some students cannot be getting much awareness from their families. Look beyond the glitz....would you swop your life with that tiger in the little cage!

DVella

Dec 9th 2009, 15:48

Our iillustrious Director of Animal Welfare clearly has some trouble making a distinction between animals that are domesticated (like cats or dogs as found in pet-shops or trained domesticated animals such as police dogs) and wild animals (such as lions or tigers) that belong in their natural habitat . . . what utter nonsense!! Next we'll have him claiming that it is all right to trap wild birds and keep them in a six inch cage! ! ! The accusation of double standards is rich coming from him ! !

Claire Busuttil

Dec 9th 2009, 15:01

OMG !!!!!!! I cannot beleive what I was reading!!! The head of the dept.for animal welfare, saying that Animals Circus is ok, and that it is no cruelity to animals!!! I realy respected this person, and from what I used to read, about him, when animals where being rescued etc, gave me a much better picture, on the feelings of this man towards animals. I am today changing my mind, and invite him to resign immidiatly from this position. We need a person who really loves animals, as a head of such dept. You should really issue another statement apologising, all animals, and animal lovers in Malta.

Franco Farrugia

Dec 9th 2009, 14:57

This is a sad day for Animal welfare in Malta.
And Mark Mifsud Bonnici, being a hunter, has no right to speak, neither about animal welfare, nor about animal rights. To him, animals are there for the greater pleasure of 'men'.

Andrew Paris

Dec 9th 2009, 14:50

Lets put Mario Spiteri in a cage, parade him through streets and see if he likes it.

Katherine Azzopardi

Dec 9th 2009, 14:23

when animals are forcefully taken from their natural habitat for the pleasure of human beings, whether it is to be in a cage in a pet shop, or whether to perform in a circus, is wrong. Whether there has been a protest from animal rights groups about pet shops or not, does not justify that we do not do our best to reduce the suffering of animals. The greatness of a nation is measured by the way in which it treats the animals, so Gandhi said. Let us give a better life to animals, there's always way for improvement. Mr Spiteri animals need your support, you should be standing up for them, not for the circus!

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Dec 9th 2009, 13:34

Confusing ANIMAL WELFARE with ANIMAL RIGHTS is precisely the whole argument.

All persons agree that the welfare of animals should be a priority but considering whether a horse has a right to be harnessed to a cart or not is an other matter.

The directorate of education, The Circus Animal Rights Coalition and most people commenting refer to animal rights and their opinion is that horses should not be harnessed as it might as in the case of circus animals, "jeopardise their health and psychological well-being."

Certain animal rights activists go to the extreme of not eating eggs since according to them they are partaking in an abbortion. Is this what we expect our children to learn.

Joseph Caruana

Dec 9th 2009, 12:56

The way in which the animal welfare department is trying to deceive the public by stating that Animal circuses are nothing more different than pet shops is ridiculous and shows an infantile behaviour to the issue of animal treatment.

Whilst, I commend the times for asking the relevant questions on the present procedure undertaken by the authorities with regards to entertainment companies. It sheds a light on the state of affairs for the regular citizen.

Yet, it is ridiculous that animal circus is regarded as any other form of entertainment and only takes into consideration the Welfare aspect only during transportation. The issue of Animal Circuses extends beyond the transportation and adds to it the question of the natural environment for these creatures and the way in which they have been forced into domestication for entertainment purposes.

The current vacuum on animal circuses regulations by the Maltese authorities show that Maltese gov't wishes not to pursue what the public might want and relies solely on EU regulations to defend these businesses.

david Agius

Dec 9th 2009, 12:28

Very clever Dr.spiteri.My dear animal friends.You can feel protected.The director of animal rights has spoken.,..It is not cruel to keep you in cages all your life ,taking you out during the day , to do strenous and painful training ,locking you back in your cages just for the sake of entertaining humans,, when you should be enjoying your freedom in the wild . Of course they feed them and keep them healthy.Not for love but to keep the money rolling in. They are their livelyhood.And to compare them to animals in pet shops until they find them a loving family to adopt them. My God. What kind of comparison is this.No wonder animaly cruelt on this island is abundant..

Ramon Mangion

Dec 9th 2009, 12:11

Its not a question of welfare or being taken care of, Animals belong in their habitat, in the wild and not doing tricks for laughing and cheering crowds

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Dec 9th 2009, 11:47

The Circus Animal Rights Coalition called on the Education Division not to allow schools to take children to the circus, following which Micheline Sciberras, the director general Directorate for Educational Services, said: "We are very attentive to ensure children only go to educational activities, we are cautious as to how many activities they go to each year, and there is increased awareness on animal rights,"

So her opinion about "animal rights" is what results in a ban on the circus as a Christmas school activity resulted in a circular instructing schools that circus visits should not be held during school time"

Can Ms. Sciberras impose her ideals upon our children, when even the Director of the Animal Welfare Department considers such a decision "a double standard"

If this is her line of thought, then pet shops, horse riding and all other activities involving the "use" of animals is to be banned as these too could "jeopardised their (animals) health and psychological well-being."

It's not surprising with directors of this sort that our Educational Services are indoctrinating our children. Does the education minister approve of this abuse of power by an animal rights activist?

Fabien Sant Fournier

Dec 9th 2009, 11:37

pets shops and police dogs are not forced into performing unnatural acts like jumping through hoops of fire..do you really think an animal would do this out of their own free will?!
Not to mention the stress exerted through the constant traveling which is typical of circus life. Also, some of these species are drastically disappearing from the wild(such as the bengal tiger!)
Once you brought it up though, pet shops are cruel.

Andy Towler

Dec 9th 2009, 11:31

For those interested the Circus Animal Rights Coalition has a Facebook group at this link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=152447782391

Max Farrugia

Dec 9th 2009, 11:20

All those who say that there is no cruelty involved behind the scenes in circuses, I invite to contact me whenever they like and I will show them DVD of what takes place behind the scenes. Some of the DVD were taken by ex-employees of circuses who were afterwards sacked when the circus management realisd that they took the shots. Very recently Austria won a case in the European Court to ban circuses for its country. Another country is Luxembourgh. So if we want to be an animal welfare state we can do the same as Austria. Thirdly to those who said that keeping animals in cages is not cruelty at all, I invite them to spend all their life in a cage the size being used by these animals and not in spacious houses and Villas. If anyone takes this challenge I will be the first one to support the circuses.

Joseph Galea

Dec 9th 2009, 11:14

While the greatest attention should be given to the conditions of animals in pet shops, surely one cannot compare a temporary stay of domestic animals at a pet shop with a wild animal's lifelong detention in a circus, being forced to carry out unnatural tasks.

Alison Bezzina

Dec 9th 2009, 11:12

Tigers Vs Dogs; Elephants vs Cats; Zebras vs hamsters.....Seriously..... Mr. Spiteri.... !!!!

G.Pisani

Dec 9th 2009, 10:50

I had some respect for the director before reading his disgusting comments. How can this guy be a director for animal rights if he doesn't believe in their rights?

Mark Harwood

Dec 9th 2009, 10:35

The sad thing is that this is the Director for Animal Welfare. How can one compare keeping animals in cages for a short period with the aim of selling them (hopefully into good and loving homes) to a system which not only keeps animals in small cages but subjects them to protracted periods of travel, daily ordeals of having to peform in loud and confusing environments (sometimes twice a day if the circus comes to town at Christmas) as well as the methods which may have been used to train these animals to perform. Animals do not naturally want to wear clothes and jump through hoops. Check out You Tube and search for circus cruelty though do not do this if you are easily upset. As a university lecturer I know all too well that some people spout off simply because they are in love with their own voice. I hope this isn't a similiar case.

Anthony E Portelli

Dec 9th 2009, 10:20

Dott. Mario, putting Police dogs in a parade and circus animals doing a show on the same level is a no no.