NEW DELHI: Acting on reports of cruelties against animals in circuses, the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Central Zoo Authority have issued show cause notices to all registered circus owners across the country asking them to quickly be on board in stopping such practices or face action including withdrawing the recognition of circuses.
Both these central agencies have warned the circus owners that if they don't respond to these notices and adhere to the rules, their recognition as entities having 'captive animal facility' will be withdrawn within 30 days. If de-recognition happens, it will make the circuses illegal establishments and they won't be able to keep the custody of any wild animals, such as elephants.
The central agencies have taken note of the findings of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India which had in its field investigation of circuses from November 2012 to July 2013 found a number of violations. Its findings included rampant use of weapons; death of animals due to inadequate care; drunken circus staff who were handling animals; nearly constant chaining and caging and other severe confinement of elephants, dogs, cats, birds and other animals.
The PETA investigation had also found instances where animals showed signs of severe psychological distress, including constant swaying, circling and even self-biting. It also highlighted how the circuses did use elephants and other animals that were nearly blind or had severe eye problems.
The organization, meanwhile, wrote to the ministry of environment and forest, asking for ban on the use of animals in circuses like what countries like Cyprus, Bolivia, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina have done long ago. It also highlighted the alleged violations on the part of the popular Moonlight Circus in Goa where instances of cruelties had been reported recently.
Poorva Joshipura of PETA India said, "Had the government followed the lead of numerous other nations by banning the archaic and cruel use of animals in circuses, the recent atrocity of the animals being left hungry by the Moonlight Circus and so many others cruelties could have been prevented."
Inspection of animals at the Moonlight circus last week had shown that the animals including Elephants hadn't been fed properly for many days.
Seeking complete ban on the use of animals in circuses, the PETA also requested the ministry to treat the Moonlight Circus incident as a wake-up call.
Referring to the PETA's findings, the Animal Welfare Board of India had last year decided to stop performance of all the "injured and aged animals" in the circuses. It had also asked circus owners to make arrangement for rehabilitation of these animals with some of the animal welfare organizations and Zoos.
The Board had, in its annual general body meeting in August last year, had also, in principle, decided to stop registration of elephants for performance under Performing Animals Rules in view of cruelties and abuse suffered by them. It had also supported for a ban on the use of animals in circuses. But the government has, so far, not taken the final call..................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTQvMDMvMTIjQXIwMTcwMQ==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
Both these central agencies have warned the circus owners that if they don't respond to these notices and adhere to the rules, their recognition as entities having 'captive animal facility' will be withdrawn within 30 days. If de-recognition happens, it will make the circuses illegal establishments and they won't be able to keep the custody of any wild animals, such as elephants.
The central agencies have taken note of the findings of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India which had in its field investigation of circuses from November 2012 to July 2013 found a number of violations. Its findings included rampant use of weapons; death of animals due to inadequate care; drunken circus staff who were handling animals; nearly constant chaining and caging and other severe confinement of elephants, dogs, cats, birds and other animals.
The PETA investigation had also found instances where animals showed signs of severe psychological distress, including constant swaying, circling and even self-biting. It also highlighted how the circuses did use elephants and other animals that were nearly blind or had severe eye problems.
The organization, meanwhile, wrote to the ministry of environment and forest, asking for ban on the use of animals in circuses like what countries like Cyprus, Bolivia, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina have done long ago. It also highlighted the alleged violations on the part of the popular Moonlight Circus in Goa where instances of cruelties had been reported recently.
Poorva Joshipura of PETA India said, "Had the government followed the lead of numerous other nations by banning the archaic and cruel use of animals in circuses, the recent atrocity of the animals being left hungry by the Moonlight Circus and so many others cruelties could have been prevented."
Inspection of animals at the Moonlight circus last week had shown that the animals including Elephants hadn't been fed properly for many days.
Seeking complete ban on the use of animals in circuses, the PETA also requested the ministry to treat the Moonlight Circus incident as a wake-up call.
Referring to the PETA's findings, the Animal Welfare Board of India had last year decided to stop performance of all the "injured and aged animals" in the circuses. It had also asked circus owners to make arrangement for rehabilitation of these animals with some of the animal welfare organizations and Zoos.
The Board had, in its annual general body meeting in August last year, had also, in principle, decided to stop registration of elephants for performance under Performing Animals Rules in view of cruelties and abuse suffered by them. It had also supported for a ban on the use of animals in circuses. But the government has, so far, not taken the final call..................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTQvMDMvMTIjQXIwMTcwMQ==&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
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