Animal rights coalition launches circus protest
A federation of 20 NGOs this morning launched a campaign on animal cruelty in circuses, a day after a local company announced that animals would feature in a circus which will perform in Malta and Gozo for most of next month.
Members of the Circus Animal Rights Coalition distributed literature to people at City Gate this morning and announced they would hold a protest march on December 8.
Spokesman Mary-Grace Vella said the coalition was extremely disappointed that a local company had, yet again, decided to bring circus animals to Malta.
Ms Vella said the coalition was calling on the authorities not to allow circus animals in Malta, and they backed a decision by the Education Department not to organise school visits to the circus. They hoped this decision would be followed by Church and private schools.
Local companies, companies and other organisations were also urged to think carefully before organising visits to such circuses, Ms Vella said.
The symbolic walk, on December 8, starts at 5 p.m. from City Gate and ends near the Granaries, where the circus will be located.
During this morning's event, a person dressed up as a tiger sat in a small cage, to show the suffering of circus animals.
Among the NGOs in the coalition are Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust, other SPCA, the Animal Rights Group and Island Sanctuary.
JS Productions, which will bring the circus to Malta, said yesterday that the animals were born within the circus, and generations of the Circo Martin family had long taken care of circus animals, assisted by vets who certified that they were in good health.
The animals being brought to Malta include bears, lions, tigers, hypos, a Scottish bull, pigs, horses, ponies, goats, lama, a camel as well as parrots and pelicans.
The circus will also feature trapeze artistes, gymnasts and magicians.
Shows will be held in Victoria between December 1 and 5 and the granaries between December 8 and January 2
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Raymond Sammut
Nov 28th 2010, 09:27
The Minister for the arts should motion in Parliament to outlaw the presence of circuses in Malta that use exotic animals --and preferably no animals at all. The Minister should also encourage Circus Oz to visit Malta.
Dee Williams
Nov 28th 2010, 09:07
@ Mr Caruana.I agree with you.. At least the circus animals are fed regularly and don't have to scavenge for food and shelter. if these animals were to be placed back in their natural habitat they wouldn't survive. If we''re talking animal cruelty then what about the dogs and cats dumped on our islands left to scavenge for food and shelter, or the dogs who hang around cafe's waiting for scraps, or the dogs seen wandering streets wearing a collar so they must belong to someone, taking themselves for a walk as their owner can't be bothered to go with them.THAT'S ANIMAL CRUELTY. I have 2 cat's that have lived inside for 6 years and wouldn't be abe to survive in the big outside world, and i live in an apartment...is that being cruel? As for the animals travelling hundreds of miles well so did mine i brought them from UK in crates . And would also like to say YES i've booked for the circus next week and looking forward to it. I expect a letter now from someone telling me i'm cruel well tough!!!
louis scicluna
Nov 28th 2010, 00:09
Will the clowns be coming over too? Because we are in dire need for some clowns on these islands.
Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Nov 27th 2010, 21:15
Those animals belong in the wild, and not forced to perform silly tricks for the selfish, inconsiderate humans. Animals circuses are out-dated anyway.Many European countries have banned them ages ago.
Jennifer Williams
Nov 27th 2010, 18:20
I hope Malta will finally join the list of enlightened countries including Sweden, India, Singapore, Austria and Bolivia that have banned these moving prisons for animals.
Some facts:
Bolivia imposed a ban on circus animals in July 2009 after undercover investigators saw circus employees beating a caged lion with a chain.
On average, elephants, lions and tigers spend around 1-9 % of their time training. The rest of their day is spent in cages, lorries and other enclosures that are usually 70% smaller than the average conditions they would be kept in in a zoo.
There have been concerns that animals do not get enough exercise. In the wild, animals will often run as much as 50 kilometres a day. As circus animals are normally shackled, the amount of exercise they get is limited to how far their chain will let them go and how large their cage is.
A circus is always on the move, often travelling hundreds of miles to get from one destination to another Research has shown that circus animals suffer from travel sickness and high stress levels. Animals can remain at these high stress levels for 12 days.
walter caruana
Nov 27th 2010, 18:16
I Hve just one dog and I spend a lot of money to feed him keep and him healthy and .So I can just roughly imagine the enormous cost to feed all the animals in the zoo.At least they have
daily food ,a shelter,and medical attention.they give lot of pleasure to thousands of childrenand adults alike. They are treated better than many human beings all over the world.These presumably animal lovers want these animals to be placed back in the wild. Weall know what will happen to them they will not survive a few days, they will be torn to pieces by the wild animals. They say that thesea nimals are mistreated. If that is the case then get some evidence and take the right steps, By asking the people to boycot the circus you are only endangering the livelyhood of these animals whom you profess to love. Get some sense in your muddled brains and stop acting like clowns, just make sure that your actions get the desired results and not the opposite effectencourage the people to visit the circus and tell them to report any abusive action on these animals
C Cassar
Nov 27th 2010, 23:24
oh dear, out of date and totally out of touch.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 28th 2010, 08:52
You need to read more, comment less - especially in public. Then, we shall have less 'clowns' around!
david f bugeja
Nov 28th 2010, 09:37
so you are stating that nobody should oppose to circuses because animals are well fed, sheltered and protected.
based on your reasoning, you are better off in jail - where you're fed, sheltered and protected (by police).
well done my friend, makes perfect sense!
N. Pace
Nov 29th 2010, 13:25
Where on earth did you get this reasoning from?
My God, I just realised you probably vote as well!!
Vera Sant Fournier
Nov 30th 2010, 12:05
Maybe you can see the bigger picture - Exotic animals can not be trained in a positive way - only harsh treatments makes them tame, makes them scared of the trainer hence then they obey . . .Mr.Caruana . . .have a look at this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zDfEaYaI08
Annalise Falzon
Nov 27th 2010, 18:10
The petition is also online:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/animalslavery/index.html
You can also join us on facebook - think twice before visiting any shows which make use of animals.
I galea
Dec 1st 2010, 08:54
and tell the general public why people signing for petitions (only 130) out of 400,000 population have to pay for signing the petition..............shame on you
Graziella Bencini
Nov 27th 2010, 18:02
I sincerely hope that all, or most of the people who are here voicing their concern about animal circuses and cruelty, join all the NGOs in the protest of the 8th December.
Anthony Calleja
Nov 27th 2010, 15:55
Well done, we are with you and proud of you always. We signed the petition and all petitions in favour of our animal friends and to encourage you in your noble crusade for our animal friends. The people who use and abuse our animal friends are scum of the lowest order.
e busuttil;
Nov 27th 2010, 15:34
Is-sabiha hi li meta gie c-cirku bla annimali ma tantx marru nies. u s-sena l-ohra kellom jergaw igibu cirku bl-annimali biex imorru n-nies - l-istess tgergir imma n-nies marru bi hgarom.
Da ifisser 2 affarijiet
1. il-maltin ihobbu c-cirku bl-annimali
2. m'hawnx kwantitajiet ta nies esagerati li jappoggjaw lil dawn l-ngos f'din il-haga.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 27th 2010, 16:32
Ma naf fuq l-ebda cirklu bla annimali li gie Malta u li ma kienx popolari. Forsi tista' taghti iktar informazzjoni?
Rigward li l-Maltin ihobbu c-cirklu tal-annimali, nahseb li l-ahjar li tghid hu li hemm hafna Maltin li huma injuranti bizzejjed u li ma jaqrawx bizzejjed, biex ma jindunawx il-hsara kbira u d-disprezz li qed nuru lejn l-annimali meta nzuru u niffrekwentaw ic-cirkli bl-annimali.
Juri wkoll li l-awtoritajiet tal-pajjiz, u d-delegati taghhom, mhumiex jaghmlu xogholhom tajjeb bizzejjed u / jew ghandhom interessi ohra fl-argument. Waqt li pajjizi ohra qed jipprojbixxu l-prezenza ta' cirki bl-annimali, ahna, Malta, inharsu naha ohra, sahansitra meta tkun id-Direttur tal-Edukazzjoni u sahansitra Segretarju Parlamentari li jigu mtellghin il-Qorti ghax ikunu tkellmu jew hadu decizjonijiet kontra cirklu tal-annimali - dan huwa mod kif int tbezza' u tipprova taghlaq halq ta' min jitkellem favur l-annimali u l-benessri taghhom.
Rigward l-NGOs fil-kwistjoni, sfortunatament hawn min qieghed fl-awtorita' u ghandu raguni biex izomm l-NGOs maqsumin bejniethom, flok li jghaqqadhom.
Ghandek ragun li l-imsemmija NGOs ma tantx jigbdu l-interess tal-publiku ghax m'hawnx gharfien (kuxjenza) bizzejjed lejn it-tharis tal-annimali - ghadna lura.
Tmurx bl-impressjoni li l-maggoranza ghandha dejjem ragun. Allura jekk il-maggoranza ma tridx taxxi, innehhuhom? Umbaghad, x'jigri?
a sultana peregin
Nov 27th 2010, 16:34
hmm..so your point is... if people want it then it's good
Belinda Borg
Nov 27th 2010, 15:34
Animals need to be trained for the circus, I am sure they have to be trained cruel to get them to do what is not in their nature to do! I Love the Circus but i love animals more, so i will not go to an Animal Circus to support Animal Rights, A circus with Human Talents always welcome!!
Maryanne
Nov 27th 2010, 15:05
What about the dolphins at the Mediterraian Park?? It seems nobody defends them!!!
Annalise Falzon
Nov 27th 2010, 18:07
Dear Maryanne
just check out online search www.cetfree.org or look us upn on facebook - the campaign on dolphinaria has been ongoing for almost 20 years now! And it is still operative especially amongst schoolchildren.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 27th 2010, 18:25
And you're wrong. So, please, be careful what to comment in public. I, for one, often wrote and commented about the dolphins. So did Ms Annalise Falzon. Did you notice? I suspect not. Anyway, that is not the subject at hand. Animal circuses are.
L. Calleja
Nov 27th 2010, 12:55
A protest is just a waste of time for people who do not have a life. Why don't you go to Court and justify your case there? If what you're saying is right than the Court will decide in your favour, otherwise look for different avenues. What's the point of making a protest!!!
Graziella Bencini
Nov 27th 2010, 18:01
@ L. Calleja - Ask Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela or the students of Tiananmen what the point is in making a protest. I'm sure they all had a life worth living, yet they had the courage to stand out from the apatethic crowd to voice what they believed in.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 27th 2010, 18:27
So, you think that people who protest 'have no life'? Well, there must be far too many people in countries abroad, without a life. And you, do you have a life? Or does your life suddenly stop if and when your pocket is affected? What is it to you if people protest? Instead of applauding those who put their necks out and stand out ot be counted, you try to decimate their spirit. Shame.
Joseph Azzopardi
Nov 27th 2010, 12:41
What is the percentage of animals in circus around the world? 0.000???? Come on let the kids enjoy the circus and see some animals!
Instead of protesting go around the island and pick up and take care of the stray dogs and cats if you want to do something useful!
Graziella Bencini
Nov 27th 2010, 17:54
@ Joseph Azzopardi - Of course we pick up and tend to sick stray animals. Many of us volunteer for sanctuaries or foster homeless creatures, but probably you are too busy critisizing people's stand against animal cruelty to notice that there are hundreds of dedicated people doing sterling work for animal welfare. And just because circus animals are a minority, doesn't mean we don't voice their suffering and hardship!
D. Xerri
Nov 27th 2010, 12:34
In my opinion You shouldnt go protest or do walks to the area where there is the circus in Floriana - These Circus Organizers/People were given the permits to operate such a circus so all these animal rights NGO`s should go protest to THE AUTHORITIES !! So I suggest they do go protest near the Minister in charge of Animal Welfare or other authorities who gave the permits for the Circus to operate. Seems like the Authorities find it comfortable to issue permits for such circuses - so they should now deal with protests ! A simple question to all the animal rights coalition protesters is - Is There Some Kind Of Problem for protesting with the Authorities ??
Romina Sah Frendo
Nov 27th 2010, 14:57
No problem at all. In fact one of our aims is that of circulating a petition to present to the authorities, something which the Animal Rights Coalition is working on all the time.
c.pace
Nov 27th 2010, 15:29
Just do not make a CIRCUS outside the circus...you people do not have anything more benecficial to the community then this
Clayton Zahra
Nov 27th 2010, 12:28
its better if you protest against that you cant keep animals as pets in a flat! thats something really against animal rights! also the circus thing, but it hurts me more that you go in a flat and they tell you that no pets are allowed....
M. Fenech
Nov 27th 2010, 12:15
Anyone in favor of the circus watch these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQvXHAABEZo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM5FTDRJlgI
Animal circuses are a disgrace and shame on anyone who supports them!
L-aqwa li Nhar ta hadd tmorru titqarbnu hux?
G.Portelli
Nov 27th 2010, 13:11
Sur Fenech, ara ma tiekolx xi bicca zalzetta ta' ghax x'aktarx minn annimal maghmula jew xi burger jew xi tigiega jew xi FENEK!
Sarah Agius
Nov 27th 2010, 12:13
Oh shut up all you moaners and nothing to-do`ers! I for my part will very much enjoy the performance along with my little niece and nephews. Pity these circuses come so infrequently.
M. Tabone
Nov 27th 2010, 13:53
Ms. Agius, int tahseb li jekk tiehu n-nepputijiet jaraw lil dawn l-annimali t-tfal se jitghallmu xi haga fuq l-annimali? Dak li jaghmlu dawk il-povri annimali m'ghandu x'jaqsam xejn ma kif igibu ruhhom fis-salvagg fejn hu posthom! Ahjar jaraw stampi jew xi dokumentarju biex jitghallmu xi haga. F'cirku jaraw biss mohqrija! Xejn edukattiv u xejn ta' sustanza hlief li jidraw jaraw il-mohqrija u jiddisensittizaw ruhhom b'mod li xejn ma jibqa' jaghmel effett fuqhom jekk jaraw mohqrija fuq l-annimali jew il-bnedmin! Ahseb ftit u jekk trid taghti gost lin-nepputijiet ixtrilhom video edukattiv biex jitghallmu kif jghixu dawn l-annimali fl-ambjent naturali taghhom u hallik mic-cirklu! F'din il-haga ghandu ragun min jikkundanna dawn il-wirjiet u mhux min jappoggjahom.
Raymond Camilleri
Nov 27th 2010, 14:25
what a show off! go and enjoy hiiii, with your nieces and nephews!! iiiii how nice!
Romina Sah Frendo
Nov 27th 2010, 14:50
Indeed, Ms Agius, we have shut up for far too long - I take it you are aware of all that goes that goes on behind the scenes, include, the 'torture training', the endless hours during which these animals are locked up in cages and more of the like. I agree with you on one point only: that it is a pity that circuses come along too infrequently... with reference to animal-free circuses showing world class acts and the magnificence of human skill and talent.
There is not much education for your little nephews and nieces, watching the poor animals performing 'tricks' at the peril of pain....Many years ago, over 50,000 people also flocked to the colosseum to watch Christians being ripped apart... When are we ever going to bear that same sensitivity towards the wonderful creatures that grace our world and that should be allowed to live as the Creator intended?
M.A. Borg
Nov 27th 2010, 15:24
Maybe you will, those animals probably won't.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 27th 2010, 12:06
Quote:
There is no excuse for keeping wild animals in amusement parks or circuses. Until our governments take action, we should avoid supporting places where captive wild animals perform for our amusement. If the public will not pay to see them, the businesses that profit from keeping animals captive will not be able to continue. When our children ask us to take them to the circus, we should find out if the circus uses wild animals. If it does, we should explain to our children why we will not take them there, and offer to take them to a circus that does not.'
www.projet-syndicate.org/commentary/singer60/English
Franco Farrugia
Nov 27th 2010, 12:05
Quote:
'Attempts to defend amusement parks and circuses on the grounds that they “educate” people about animals should not be taken seriously. Such enterprises are part of the commercial entertainment industry. The most important lesson they teach impressionable young minds is that it is acceptable to keep animals in captivity for human amusement. That is the opposite of the ethical attitude to animals that we should be seeking to impart to children.
Nor should we be swayed by the argument that circuses provide employment. The human slave trade also provided employment, but that was no argument for perpetuating it. In any case, in many countries that have restrictions or bans on circuses with animals, human-only circuses have flourished.'
J.Borg
Nov 27th 2010, 11:55
Kull sena l-istess storja!!!!!
Hekk ma tridux tarawhom tmorrux bhali u daqshekk....hallu lil haddiehor jierhu gost ukoll
C Cassar
Nov 27th 2010, 12:01
The whole point about banning isn't that you can avoid going, so out of sight out of mind. The point is that as a civilised soceity, we've moved on from caging and forcing wild animals to perform degrading acts. They are best observed in the wild, such as the protected reserves in Africa where you can easily go and see these creatures in their natural environment, problem solved.
Why are some Maltese so embarrasing to the nation as a whole?
David Gatt
Nov 27th 2010, 12:01
Qed tajd li ghandna nhallu l haddiehor jiehu gost bil-krudelta? Spjega ruhek.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 27th 2010, 12:02
Ma nistghux naghmlu bhalek: cicci beqqi, ma naghmlu xejn, meta nafu li dawn l-annimali qedin jinhaqru. Ma nistghux ma nipprotegux lil dawn l-imsejkna annimali. Min jaf kieku kont inti, bilfors qieghed hemm, 'performing' u haddiehor jiehu gost minn fuq darek? Kieku, x'kont tghid?
Tippermettili nissugerilek biex taqra iktar fuq is-suggett? Jekk joghgbok, mur f'din il-link: http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/singer60/English
u tkun taf aktar ghaliex ahna naghtu kaz! We care!
M. Fenech
Nov 27th 2010, 12:04
Looking the other way doesn't solve the problem. Whether we go or not the animals are still being abused.
Joe Cassar
Nov 27th 2010, 12:06
X'gost fih tara l-annimali jinħaqru?
Romina Sah Frendo
Nov 27th 2010, 14:54
Sur Borg, Kulhadd ghandu dritt ghall-gost, imma mhux meta nafu li l-gost li niehdu ahna, huwa mcappas bid-demm u bil-krudelta'. L-ghan tal-Animal Rights Coalition, ghaqda maghmula minn hafna NGOs, huwa li tinforma l-pubbliku li kull Cirku li jgib mieghu l-annimali, qed jipprofitta fuq it-tbatija.... ghalfejn m'ghandniex nitkellmu kontra din l-mohqrija?
Mark Scerri
Nov 27th 2010, 11:43
Ban the animal circus ! It is contradictory to raise awareness about local animal cruelty, having Animal Welfare and animal shelters and having an animal circus in Malta!
JOSEPH ZAMMIT
Nov 27th 2010, 11:27
Ban the circuses that mis-use animals. Let us expose the psychological and physical suffering of all animals in circuses and let us educate the public about the truth of behind-the-scenes training methods, housing, and transportation; to dispel the myths that animal circuses are educational. Have you ever stopped to consider the life of a circus animal: chained, caged, forced to live in cramped and totally unsuitable housing, and hauled from town to town in a “beast wagon”? Regardless of the number of generations that wild animals have been in captivity, captive-born wild animals do not lose the instincts and needs of wild animals. They retain their natural instincts to socialise and to roam freely. Circuses deny captive-born wild animals of their need to exhibit their natural behaviours.
Captive-born wild animals is cruelty and should be criminal too. They are our relatives and they too have a right for their Freedom.
SAY NO TO ANIMAL CIRCUSES--http://www.animalcircuses.com/
darren muscat
Nov 27th 2010, 11:58
qed ssir wisq moda li nitfaw pressure fuq kollox li ma jogobniex biex ma jigrix, min jdejquh l-annimali go gagga, nispera li ma andux xi ghasfur.
jien jdejquni l-annimali mahqurin biex ma niftihimx hazin, pero nhalli lill dak li jkun liberu biex jamel li jrid.
Mark Brincat
Nov 27th 2010, 11:24
Prosit! Ahna l-uniku lehen li ghandhom dawn l-annimali!