Naxxar locals give animal circus the thumbs down
Residents are worried a circus would impact their health. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Naxxar residents are up in arms and petitioning to have a planned animal circus relocated out of their locality.
At least 70 residents of St Paul, Garden, Ship Wreck, Jesuits and Marquis Ġużeppi Scicluna streets, including Labour MEP Edward Scicluna, have signed a petition that is being sent to the local council and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa).
Victor Fenech, speaking on behalf of the residents, claimed there were a number of health issues that needed to be considered.
“We found out that 90 animals are used in the shows, including tigers, zebras, camels, llamas and crocodiles.
“Can someone please tell me how they are going to retain the urine and excretions from 90 animals from seeping into the soil and safeguard our families after they leave the area?” he asked.
The circus will be situated in a field bordering St Paul Street, a main road, close to the old Trade Fair grounds. The field, known as Tal-Ġiżwiti, measures approximately 10,500 square metres.
A spokesman for Mepa said the authority believed the proposed site was not “considered compatible as it may cause nuisance to the surrounding residential area”.
However, the authority cannot stop the circus if there has been no objection from the local council or the police.
It has ensured that the animals are considered legal according to the EU Wild Life Trade Regulations (CITES) and has informed the circus that an inspection will be carried out at the port or the grounds once they set up. This will be to check that microchip and ring numbers correspond to the CITES certificates provided for the animals.
The Naxxar local council has not objected to the circus in the locality. However, it did not consult “us residents properly”, said Mr Fenech.
Residents only became aware that the circus was coming to town after reading about it in The Times.
“I strongly hope that the local council did not sell our health and our lives for a mere donation and a ticket to the families for a show,” Mr Fenech added.
Circo Fantasy, being brought over by Circus Events Ltd, plans to open its doors between November 8 and December 9.
The Times sought a reaction from the council and the circus but got no replies before going to print.
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30 Comments
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Lourdes Buttigieg
Oct 17th 2012, 19:03
All circus that use animals should be banned one's and for all .
A.f Ellul
Oct 17th 2012, 20:38
Banned all the animals in the zoo , at San Anton garden , and where there are animals locked and are used for shows.
A.f Ellul
Oct 17th 2012, 17:55
Animals in circus show us their intelligent is called animal cruelty, So, What is calling those who shot and kills birds?
C Mangion
Oct 17th 2012, 16:51
If you live in Naxxar or SPTT and object to the circus being held in a residential zone please find group on FB. Thank you
Rosalind Agius
Oct 17th 2012, 16:29
Animal circuse is animal cruelty. Well done for Naxxar Residents.
Tania Farrugia
Oct 17th 2012, 15:37
So glad to hear this...and maybe all other localities will do the same so this animal cruelty show will be scrapped once and for all....
Guido Farrugia
Oct 17th 2012, 15:07
Silvio Zammit is becoming a very common and known person, John Dalli's resignation and now the circus.Bil-hbieb taghmel triq fil-bahar u cirklu f'post residenzjali.
Albert Critien
Oct 17th 2012, 14:41
Respect should be shown towards the people of Naxxar, itis unbelievable that our local council can act so abusably towards the people who voted them in, if that is their attitude then it is good riddance in a very short while. The traffic alone should be a valid reason to reject such an application, during rush hours, there are about four such problematic events no more can be entertained
Fabien Sant Fournier
Oct 17th 2012, 14:21
this circus should be stopped for animal welfare issues!!
..is this another of silvio's projects?!
Jon Vercellono
Oct 17th 2012, 13:51
They should instead make an amusement park in Naxxar and call it "Grumpiest Place on Earth" and let all the moaners go there for a day out.
Ivan Falzon
Oct 17th 2012, 13:45
All over the world animal circuses are being refused permits yet here, in our lovely caring catholic country, they are welcome. And yet some people take offence when we are labelled as a third world country.
Joanne Falzon
Oct 17th 2012, 13:13
This is disgusting...dear residents why dont you complain for the health of the ANIMALS aswell! STOP ANIMAL CIRCUS!
R Casha
Oct 17th 2012, 13:08
There is an elderly home just behind this field...please show some respect to such elderly living there.
Lorraine Farrugia
Oct 17th 2012, 13:04
No one came to our apartmentblock to sign the petition,where can we sign this?
Mr Stanley Fenech
Oct 17th 2012, 19:09
Ms. Farrugia, the petition is being focused in the streets around the area and although we are doing our best to have everyone to sign, there were times when residents were not at home. I would like the find a way of contact you personally, but this is not the right place to put personal contact details, and the petition is not being handled by an organisation but by the us residents.
Mr Stanley Fenech
Oct 17th 2012, 19:11
cont...
If you can at least identify the block of flats, I try to come myself or send someone there to collect your signatures. However, the petitions are still going round, namely in the areas of Triq il-Gizwiti and triq il-Gnien.
Mr Stanley Fenech
Oct 17th 2012, 12:59
"The Times sought a reaction from the council and the circus but got no replies before going to print."
If you get the same treatment we are getting for this particular case forget about an answer.
Chris Sammut
Oct 17th 2012, 12:46
The story is all about the safeguard of the villagers but how about as animal lovers say NO to circus that got animals!
Ms Maria Vella
Oct 17th 2012, 11:54
how about sparing a thought for the animals?
F. Pisani
Oct 17th 2012, 12:48
Because everybody is busy safe guarding themselves, as it should be!
Joanne Falzon
Oct 17th 2012, 13:14
No animals can't talk so WE have to talk for them..dont be selfish!
Mr Stanley Fenech
Oct 17th 2012, 11:39
So residents are left with a situation where MEPA clearly points out that the site should have never been considered and because the Local Council and the Executive Secretary did not consult MEPA before issuing the 'No Objection', MEPA cannot stop it.
Well done to the Naxxar Local Council for safeguarding the residents' right. You should be very proud of yourselves
Joanna Borg
Oct 17th 2012, 11:02
As usual we will be 'assured' that the animals are treated well and are in good health! The organisers should try to live in the same conditions themselves for a few months. We are not teaching our children anything by taking them to see performers! Children learn much more from good quality documentaries. We should help to have animal circuses banned internationally.
Shirley Ann Brincat
Oct 17th 2012, 09:50
If one had a heart, one would boycott circuses having animals. No one will EVER make ME believe that circus animals are treated well and live well.
joseph borg st john
Oct 17th 2012, 10:17
I hope this circus does not come to our beautiful village in my oppion i think that all circus that use animals should be banned world wide everyone knows the method how these animals are trained.
joseph borg st john
Oct 17th 2012, 10:17
I hope this circus does not come to our beautiful village in my oppion i think that all circus that use animals should be banned world wide everyone knows the method how these animals are trained.
Jon Vercellono
Oct 17th 2012, 14:04
What about the wild animals killed by poachers in Africa - maybe they're safer and in better health being cared for by people who love them - not Africans who want to kill them.
A.f Ellul
Oct 17th 2012, 20:46
In Malta we treat the animals well!, see what have done those dogs that has been crucified on doors or those birds while they are passing from Malta they found themselves in a battle or animals used them for fighting .in the circus ,those that take care of the animals are their pets and take care of them more then of themselves.You didn't have a pet?
A. Sciberras
Oct 17th 2012, 09:15
This besides the traffic jams it will create! remember the trade fair traffic anyone?
Alexandra Balzia
Oct 17th 2012, 09:47
and the parking isues... it is already bad here at Naxxar to find a parking space... this is all we need!!!
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