Malta should ban animal circuses - AD
Malta should not allow circuses to use animals, Alternattiva Demokratika said this morning.
Chairman Michael Briguglio told a news conference that while AD acknowledged circuses as sites of entertainment, they should not be allowed to use animals, due to the exploitation involved.
AD's election in Parliament, he said, would ensure that a bill is passed to ban the use of animals in circuses.
Greece recently became the first European country to ban all animals in circuses and the UK government unanimously passed legislation which would lead to the banning of wild animals in circuses.
Other European countries, including Austria, Portugal, Denmark and Croatia, either banned or were phasing out the use of wild animals in circuses.
Outside Europe, countries including Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay and China, also banned such circuses, and the USA was considering legislation. Various city councils around the world have also banned animal circuses.
Animal welfare spokesman Simon Galea said circus animals were made to perform unnatural tricks most of which followed a long cruel training process.
Other factors contributing for such a life of misery included constant travelling and confinement in small spaces.
“It is unethical to permit these practices and use of animals in circuses should be banned for good,” he said.
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48 Comments
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A. MICALLEF
Nov 11th 2012, 09:25
And how about closing all farms,the abbattoir and all restaurants servincg meat. Veru ridikoli !
Mr Bartolo Edward
Nov 11th 2012, 09:19
Please, permit me to ask a rethorical question: "When shall the species 'homo' learn to ban war, because it causes a great deal of suffering for all those involved? Isn't a human being an animal worthy of freedom and a life without unnecessary suffering?" I know history proves that human blood is cheap, and now, that non-human animals have more rights. And, the argument is: 'they are defenceless!'
Roderick Mallia
Nov 11th 2012, 09:04
Why should it be banned? Ghadna mitt sena lura!
Rosalind Agius
Nov 11th 2012, 07:53
Well done AD. It is time that we start thinking of animals as sentient beings like humans are.
Carmen Borg
Nov 11th 2012, 01:51
What are the Maltese waiting for? God did not create any creature to be a prisoner. Only humans imprison and torture others. Ban all circuses from enslaving animals. And no more hunting.
Joe M Borg
Nov 10th 2012, 20:09
So far, the Maltese voters have banned AD! Any coincidence?
anthony sultana
Nov 10th 2012, 21:47
Mr Borg
That's why Malta is in a mess because it is running by the same 2 parties, no real competition.
Mr Evan Camilleri
Nov 10th 2012, 19:55
Come on..... Let's not exaggerate now. I think that until hunting is illegal we should not even have such discussions.
B. Borg
Nov 10th 2012, 19:49
Have AD heard of Madacascar 3
Kevin Marks
Nov 10th 2012, 19:04
Go get a life AD always barking nonsense
Ivan Calleja
Nov 10th 2012, 19:48
You should get a life Kevin!! Are you one of those exploiting these animals by any chance!!! Shame on you for passing such a comment!
Kevin Marks
Nov 11th 2012, 10:18
Not at all ! But i will ban AD for always talking nonsense....do you know that this isuue have been going on for ages??Do You remember the protests each and every year a circus reach to our shores? What happened ? NOTHING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! Maybe you have to see who the circus promoters are? So yes AD should do the conference in front of Castille !!
Ivan Calleja
Nov 11th 2012, 12:27
So why are you blaming AD then??? You should blame this government and the competent authorities for not taking any action....instead this year they have given permission for 2 animal circus to visit our islands!!! and everyone knows who is behind this animal circus!!
P. Attard
Nov 10th 2012, 18:33
Sorry; I beg to differ. I admit to being an animal lover myself, but don't accept exageration! Animals in circuses are in fact related to art and pleasure towards humans. If animals are never brought over to Malta how can our kids ever enjoy seeing them 'live', so close to them? With the same reasoning, why do we still allow cows, pigs and even fish to be brutally killed for human consumption?
Ivan Calleja
Nov 10th 2012, 19:51
You are an animal lover and you in favour of animals in circuses??? Please be consistent! just watch the multitude of videos available online to see for yourself how these animals are forced to perform!! Then maybe you'll understand that there is no exaggeration in AD's claim!!!
Mario Desira
Nov 10th 2012, 22:39
Mr Attard one cannot be an animal lover and kills animals for food or have them killed for food.
Pet lover maybe. But not animal lover. You simply don.t kill someone you love to satisfy your tastebuds. The production and consumption of meat is the NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE but we keep fooling ourselves with secondary mitigation measures and eat like we always did..........
B Attard
Nov 10th 2012, 17:55
AD very pathetic. Always critisizing and never suggesting.
Ramon Mangion
Nov 10th 2012, 18:49
@ B Attard...
I am definitely not an AD supporter, however there is a flaw in your argument. They did suggest in fact... no animals in circuses.
Ivan Calleja
Nov 10th 2012, 19:52
Agree 100% with Ramon Mangion!!! They have pointed out a very clear suggestion!! Probably you did not read the article!!
Matthew Grima
Nov 12th 2012, 12:02
Banning is a suggestion...
Claire Busuttil
Nov 10th 2012, 17:26
100% agreed
anthony sultana
Nov 10th 2012, 17:08
We must understand that animals have the same feelings like us.Now imagine a person in that living condition, very stressfull indeed.Yes the animals look nice specially for the children,but if you really like them you must let them free.remember Free Willy the movie.So I say FREE ALL THE ANIMALS,& STOP THE BIRDS KILLING NOW.
Mr Joe Camilleri
Nov 10th 2012, 17:01
Ban Ban ban, this is all what you hear from AD. No wonder they never and will never be elected. They just want to ban everything that they do not agree with.
That is a very nice example of democracy.
Ivan Calleja
Nov 10th 2012, 19:53
And your point is??? NO POINT at all!!
Paul Meilak
Nov 10th 2012, 16:44
Fine this is nothing new from AD policies. BUT I'd like to take the opportunity to ask THEM a question :
Are you in favour of abortion ?
J. Vella
Nov 10th 2012, 16:37
Ad always criticizing one thing or another in what's happening in malta. They never make any positive comments for anything! I will never vote for AD! They have to be more mature in politics!
Pavlaki Pano Aroditis
Nov 10th 2012, 16:27
I thought an animal circus was a euphemism for Parliament...
Vide this comment: "Animal welfare spokesman Simon Galea said circus animals were made to perform unnatural tricks most of which followed a long cruel training process." Applies perfectly to Parliament, and the performers love it.
Roberto Buontempo
Nov 10th 2012, 15:53
These Circuses are doing a great service to all those people who can't afford going on a Safari. If AD and so many thousands want to ban these shows, well I'm sure many more thousands would love to go! If you don't like it, just don't go for the show. I guess it is very simple - live and let live.
Rebecca Spiteri
Nov 10th 2012, 16:55
Great service? I can't afford and probably won't be affording a safari anytime soon but I definitely would not take part in a thing like this! If you think that taking a wild animal and making it perfom tricks just for your enjoyment, then I am sorry sir but you are quite twisted. These creatures paid with their freedom. I assure you, if it was you, you would not want to be born i na cage, and rot
B Attard
Nov 10th 2012, 17:52
@ Rebecca A big Prosit
Ramon Mangion
Nov 10th 2012, 18:50
Roberto, do you think that you will see such animals caged and dressed up in stupid costumes in a safari ? no... If you want to see an animal just see it in its natural habitat
Ivan Calleja
Nov 10th 2012, 19:54
Your comment is all about egoism!!
Maria Williams
Nov 10th 2012, 20:11
Mr Buontempo, I agree 100 per cent with your comment Live and Let Live. It's a good policy to go by as long as you include animals in the equation and let them live their lives as Nature intended and not force them to do stupid tricks and spend their lives in confined cages. You and I have a choice about whether to go to the Circus or not, the animals do not have any choice in the matter!
paul camilleri
Nov 11th 2012, 08:44
Ms Williams
then i suppose domesticated pets should be let to run free as nature intended them to be!! also you so called animal lovers why is it you would like to take pets abroad and put them in cages for the duration of the trip surely nature did not intend this either??
Ivan Delia
Nov 10th 2012, 15:48
Oh No .. not again !! Leave us enjoy the Circus ... why all this fuss every year. Ban the Mdina and Valletta Cab Horses and all the cats and dogs in cages from some local Pet shops then we can point fingers. TILL THAT let us enjoy these beautiful Animals in Malta in Peace !!!!!!
Rebecca Spiteri
Nov 10th 2012, 16:56
I can only agree with you on one thing, that these are beautiful animals, but only beautiful when they do not have people like you paying a measly 10euro when they paid with their freedom! Let them live in their natural habitat and not jumping hoops of fire.
Maria Williams
Nov 10th 2012, 20:18
Mr Delia, I assure you that people who care about animals in circuses also care about the issues you mentioned. I am glad you have compassion for horse & cats & dogs (hopefully you are also doing something to help them out, even if it is merely not riding in horse drawn cabs or not buying animals from pet shops). Don't you think these 'beautiful animals' also deserve your compassion & support?
Reuben D. Spiteri
Nov 10th 2012, 21:32
Ms Spiteri, while I am against animal cruelty in any shape or form, please keep in mind that these animals are born in captivity.
Can't they implement some sort of certification to ensure that a circus doesn't torture and needlessly hurt animals?
paul camilleri
Nov 10th 2012, 15:09
maybe we should ban AD for its comments in allowing ex pat Maltese to vote in our elections !!!
Maria Williams
Nov 10th 2012, 16:29
I was under the impression that this news item was about animal circuses - I can't see the connection with ex pat Maltese!
Ivan Calleja
Nov 10th 2012, 19:56
Another comment with no point at all!!!
paul camilleri
Nov 10th 2012, 14:51
maybe it would be wiser to ban the AD
Joseph Casha
Nov 10th 2012, 14:47
The more I see AD making these kind of statements, the more I like them
A Sultana
Nov 10th 2012, 14:42
& Holland too! It's so heartening to see the list of countries and councils INCREASEING every year.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121101/world/dutch-government-prepared-to-ban-use-of-wild-animals-in-circuses.443569
Lawrence Attard
Nov 10th 2012, 14:36
This is one of the many reasons I would never vote for AD.
Maria Williams
Nov 10th 2012, 16:38
Does this mean you agree with animal cruelty then? Obviously, your vote is yours to use as you wish and I support your freedom to do so. On the other hand, I support any individual or party which is prepared to be the voice of those who have no voice, and to show compassion where animals are concerned, even if I do not necessarily agree with all their beliefs/policies.
Jay Oatmon
Nov 10th 2012, 14:31
I agree - I don't find big cats in cages with guys making them sit or jump a spectacle worth watching, nor elephants with girls on their backs, or seals juggling balls.
However I think the domesticated animals such as horses and dogs should be permitted.
anthony sultana
Nov 10th 2012, 14:26
Thanks to the greens, they are the most gentle party.Animals should be treated with the same laws like humans.Support the AD to have better blessing future.
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