Animal Circus controversy returns
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
The animal circus in Naxxar opens its doors to the public tomorrow but its owner Mario Sali, 61, says the 80 animals that travel with his troupe are not trained to do circus acts.
"They were born in captivity and they are domesticated animals," he says adding that they were like children to him.
Officials from the Veterinary Services yesterday visited the site and certified was in order.
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32 Comments
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Robert Refalo
Nov 11th 2012, 16:33
l Animali specialment it tigra ha tipqa tezisti bis fiz zoo fxi circus jew pet fxi dar privata . min vera jixtieq jejn lil dawn l animali misu jehli lenergija u jejn bix isalva il habitat tahom mux taparsi joqot jithasarom ax edin go gagga fxi zoo jew circus . infakar li hafna mit tigieg li niklu go gageg ikunu . u fil Country side hlif eliqi mizruwa man nsibux ghal shabna il vegiterians u vegans
mario galea
Nov 8th 2012, 00:23
The most effective way how to protest against this exploitation of animals is by boycotting this event. Animal lovers should not attend to this circus and we should try to convince others not to attend. I hope and trust that school children would not be taken to this circus. Schools should lead by example and we should teach our children to respect and love animals.
Steve Schembri
Nov 7th 2012, 21:53
I will not be taking my daughter to the circus, even though I do remember my parents taking me when I was younger and that I enjoyed it a lot. And yet I still grew up respecting animals. Having said that I will be taking her to the zoo when the day arrives. Does that make me bad? Oh...has anyone watched Madagascar...now that film gives a different message about what animals want!!!!
Dan Vella
Nov 7th 2012, 19:54
X mentalita u nuqqas ta edukazjoni aw Malta, niskanta kif ma jhossux al daw il povri annimmali jmorru jifirhu bit tfal biex jarawom , animal slavery circus.
Robert Callus
Nov 7th 2012, 17:41
Since our politicians have moral values only when it suits them, the only way to stop this cruelty is by boycotting it.
If I had children I'd show them animals in their natural habitat, in a documentary if I can't afford better. Better than slaves in real life.
P. Ciantar
Nov 7th 2012, 16:19
Do not go to the Circus and you can prove the point. I am not going so if no one goes they will go away .
Joe A. Borg
Nov 7th 2012, 15:26
That is one place I know I would not be going!
Would appreciate a circus that demonstrates human ability and not that of caged animals.
So until then, Mr. Circus you will not have the pleasure of earning my money.
Michael Pearson
Nov 7th 2012, 15:09
To prove what they are saying is true, can Mr Sali and the Promoter and their families spend a night alone in the cage with the tigers please ? Being born in captivity does not change the instincts of an animals, and imagine the terror of the other imprisoned animals living & travelling close to animals that regard them as prey, sheer terror !
M Cachia
Nov 7th 2012, 14:59
The animals re not domesticated they are trained. Domestication is a process that proceeds over many generations and involves changes in the physical appearance of the animal.
Monique Sciberras
Nov 7th 2012, 14:27
U ajma ...lots of people are saying that they are against animal cruelty and then first time they go to a restaurant they order a ribeye steak or a full rack of ribs!! I don't get it !! true animal lovers are vegetarians not ordinary people who just speak words about circus animals, which I am not one of them (vegetarian) mind you but I respect their opinion!!
W Cassar
Nov 7th 2012, 15:35
One does not have to be a veggie to be against animal cruelty.
Monique Sciberras
Nov 7th 2012, 16:23
ok fair enough imma allura l-annimali li nieklu ma nithassruwomx? meta nikluwom ma noqghodux nghidu mil liema krudelta ghaddew biex inqatlu!!!....imma l-aqwali ma mmorrux ic-circus!!
Gillian Snook
Nov 7th 2012, 18:08
Sorry Monique Surely you have a better message about caged wild animals.
From a non vegetarian animal lover.
Patricia Mifsud
Nov 7th 2012, 19:49
@ Monique Sciberras: As far as I know, the actual slaughter is done as humanely as possible. It's the animals' living conditions I worry about. In fact, after having found out exactly how milk-fed calves are kept in order to keep their flesh white, I stopped eating veal. I'm also careful what cosmetic products I buy and I boycott those that have been tested on animals.
Joanne Falzon
Nov 7th 2012, 14:04
they would have many more people if the circus was withOUT animals!
Mr Andrew Grech
Nov 7th 2012, 14:00
Please spare some time to view these 3 links...there is a lot that we can learn and hopefully share with our children):-
http://www.telegraph.co..uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8409600/Animal-rights-campaigners-expose-circus-cruelty.html#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVsuGOpvUxc&list=SPBB7CC8DDE817329C&index=3
http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/circuses.aspx
Neil Dent
Nov 7th 2012, 13:58
Boycott animal circuses - hitting the owners and promoters in their pockets is the only way to stop this particular brand of cruelty.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 7th 2012, 13:53
Who are the 'officials from the Veterinary Services' who visited the site?
Can we know them by name, surname and qualifications?
What qualifications do they possess to know whether animals are mentally disturbed or not?
What is meant by 'certified was in order'?
C. Dimech
Nov 7th 2012, 15:41
Mr. Farrugia, why all this agro against people who are doing their work? Unfortunately animal circuses are not banned in Malta therefore the Veterinary Services can only certify what they are allowed to certify. We are left with 2 options, boycotting till it makes no sense for anyone to invest in them or changing legislation. In the meanwhile we need to educate the younger generation.
C. Dimech
Nov 7th 2012, 15:42
and just to be clear i am against animal circuses and everything they represent.
PAUL BUSUTTIL
Nov 7th 2012, 13:38
I know one place my children ARE NOT going too!
Franco Farrugia
Nov 7th 2012, 13:53
Well done, and thank you on behalf of the animals, Mr Busuttil.
Franco Farrugia
Joseph M Scicluna
Nov 7th 2012, 13:54
That's your opinion Mr Busuttil. My children will surely be visiting the animals since I am not that well off to take them to see them in their natural habitat. However, one positive note is that these animals will not be performing any acts. And that's MY opinion.
R. Azzopardi
Nov 7th 2012, 13:55
Well done!
Jo Grima
Nov 7th 2012, 14:54
Mr Joseph Scicluna, so according to you, just because you cannot afford to take your children to see animals in their natural habitat, you are teaching them that animals belong in cages. Try putting your own children in cages for a month and invite the rest of the population to come visit them....How about that ? im sure you will have no objection.
Joseph M Scicluna
Nov 7th 2012, 16:10
@ Joe Grima
These "poor" animals have been domesticated and it will be quite dangerous for them to let them go free into the open jungle where they will only be an easy prey for other animals. So they are far too safe in their cages (I agree preferably not).
Louis Saliba
Nov 7th 2012, 19:00
@ Joe Grima
By taking children to see animals in zoos and circuses, one is not teaching them that animals belong in cages.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 7th 2012, 20:39
@ Jo Grima: Just a point of order, if I may: Just because you have an 'opinion' does not mean that your opinion is equal in strength to mine. I have spent a considerable number of years, quietly researching what experts have to say on the matter. I also happen to be an educator. So, perhaps, only perhaps, my opinion should have more worth - and that's the way it is, seeing the way you think!
Joe A. Borg
Nov 8th 2012, 10:39
@ Franco Farrugia
You seem to be full of yourself!
Simply being an educator does not qualify you to mental supremacy. I saw the photos of the animals yesterday and actually when to see with my very own eyes this morning, but keeping animal in a minuscule space is not indicative of well kept animals.
R. Azzopardi
Nov 7th 2012, 13:06
... no affection. These dogs have been reported to animal welfare a number of times and they have inspected the place and found nothing untoward. In my opinion, they're living in hell.
R. Azzopardi
Nov 7th 2012, 13:05
"Officials from the veterinary services yesterday visited the site and certified was in order". what a joke. I know of three beautiful pitbulls which are kept in tiny kennels in a garage. They're let out a couple of times a day for air only to be kept on a short leash (every week or so they are allowed off the leash). They're well fed, their quarters are scrupulously clean but are shown....
A. Sciberras
Nov 7th 2012, 13:03
And who checks that all is in order when on the road? Are they preadvised about the vet's visit?
Please choose the reason of your report below: