Organiser says he is still being stopped from setting up circus
A circus organiser protested in court today that despite winning two cases before different tribunals, he was being prevented from setting up a circus on the car park of the Granaries in Floriana.
Johan Said, who filed a judicial protest this afternoon, also said that the circus animals were currently temporarily housed in a pen in Coprradino where they were exposed to the weather in circumstances which could be physically detrimental to them.
In the protest against Police Commissioner John Rizzo, Mr Said said he first sought a permit in January 2012 but it was rejected by the Commissioner, who said that Transport Malta had objected because of the impact which the circus would have on parking availability in Floriana.
An appeal was filed before the Police Licences Appeals Tribunal and it was upheld on November 6.
Nonetheless, the permit was not issued, with the Commissioner saying that further to the objection by Transport Malta, a new policy laid down that open spaces in Floriana, including the Granaries, were not to be occupied by circus operators.
An appeal was filed before the Administrative Law Review Tribunal, and again it was upheld, the decision being taken yesterday.
Following that decision, Mr Said said he had sought a reduction of the 20-day appeal period since waiting for all that time would mean that the time when the circus was supposed to be put up would have elapsed.
The Commissioner had objected.
As a result, Mr Said said, despite having had his two appeals upheld, he was still not being allowed to exercise his right to set up the circus on the parking site at the Granaries.
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17 Comments
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Alfred J. McEwen
Dec 17th 2012, 08:56
Good maybe he`ll pack up his poxy circus and go bother some other country hopefully
Ms Sarah Attard Gialanze
Dec 12th 2012, 19:41
Animals should not be performing tricks, nor should they be held in captivity. These beautiful creatures should be roaming free in their natural habitat. Whoever thinks this is entertainment, or that it is not animal cruelty, should look up some undercover circus videos on YouTube. Elephants are 'trained' by means of a bull hook, which causes a great deal of pain! Do your research before you speak
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Dec 12th 2012, 08:33
This is shame on our democracy indicating that CORRUPTION has engulfed all levels of our society. It is only the encircled who are doing what they like - WE THE PEOPLE MUST DEMOCRATICALLY HALT ALL THIS STENCHFUL RUT.
Michael Camileri
Dec 12th 2012, 08:13
We dont want an animal circus! Go away
E. Vassallo
Dec 12th 2012, 06:18
Is this police arrogance?This man has won the court case not once but twice........is this a copy of things to come?
Ramon Casha
Dec 12th 2012, 05:47
Malta should adopt a strict policy of not tolerating cruelty to animals, and that means no animal circuses.
Francis Grech
Dec 12th 2012, 01:56
I bet that All the people commenting against the circus animals are frustrated single persons who probably have a dog or a cat for a companion as they can't have a child of their own, they like to spoil some good time for the Maltese children who have a chance to watch circus animals perform such tricks over the festive season and having a laugh go get a life you spoil sports.
Carmel Camilleri
Dec 11th 2012, 21:07
This talk about animals cruelty in circus is all rubbish. Are the horses pulling cabs with six persons on board not cruelty? Are the dogs leading blind persons not cruelty? Is this really dogs or horses' life? The list is much longer. So why do we object to the circus' animals which is well attended by the Maltese? Why do a couple of persons deprive the Maltese of this entertainment?
Mark Spiteri
Dec 12th 2012, 08:37
Agree totally
Mark Spiteri
Dec 11th 2012, 20:23
Wish some people can get a life - all of a sudden we have become animal sweet hearts, how sweet.
Lets stop eating meat now as well, and all become vegetarians that way we will not not put cows, sheep, hens,ducks,goats etc etc of being slaughtered !! Circus animals are not put through hardships - they are fed well and looked after like some of us look after our pets !!!
Rosalind Agius
Dec 11th 2012, 20:11
Great news.
Pack up your things and burn them. Cicuses are a thing of the past.
Anthony Borg
Dec 11th 2012, 18:39
Good - now the circus can pack up and go home!
When animals are no longer in Circuses, they can return at their hearts' content.
Charles Falzon
Dec 11th 2012, 18:12
The fact that animals are forced to be in a circus is physically and psychologically distressing, more then being in the open.
J Schembri
Dec 11th 2012, 17:35
do you really care about the animals ? !!
or about the sale of tickets ?
Jon Vercellono
Dec 11th 2012, 16:59
Let him set it up; people can take the bus.
If you're concerned with the animals, let them into somewhere warm.
Hope no Maltese ever go though the bureaucracy we've put this bloke through.
C Muscat
Dec 11th 2012, 17:26
This is not bureaucracy but democratic legal system.
This is followed by all civil societies.
Ms Maria Vella
Dec 11th 2012, 16:56
Oh so now he is worried about the animals?????
Please choose the reason of your report below: