Animal activists plan to stage “silent protests” against the use of animals to entertain when the Brian Boswell Circus comes to Buffalo City Metro next week.
Animal Warriors East London also pressured Beaconhurst Primary via Facebook to reconsider hosting the East London leg of the circus.
Principal Aubrey Norman called a meeting with his executive yesterday after reading a post on the Animal Warriors site asking the school why it was allowing the circus on its property. “This is a horrible way to raise money for the school. Is this really what you want to teach our children? That it is ok to treat animals so terribly to make a buck?”
Brian Boswell Circus scrapped its elephant act after shocking video aired on Carte Blanche in 2013 of a chained elephant being hit in the face with a pipe by one of its handlers.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch after the school’s emergency meeting and after consulting with the governing body chairman and education department yesterday, Norman said the school was strenuously opposed to any form of animal abuse – but it would allow the circus to pitch its big top on school grounds between March 24 and April 12 as planned.
He said he had signed the contract earlier this year to raise funds for the school because he had been assured only domestic animals were used.
“We are animal lovers and would never support cruelty to animals.
“We have been assured only domestic animals will be involved and that vet checks and regular inspections by the SPCA are encouraged.”
However, he said he would refrain from hosting circuses in the future.
Animal Warriors East London founder Sandy Taylor said she had no problem with the physical condition of the animals – 11 horses and ponies, three dogs, two camels, an alpaca and three goats – she was concerned with their mental anguish from being “boxed and carted” long distances.
“The public looks at their condition and whether they are well fed, but ... the problem is what is happening internally. They are sentient beings so they feel all the emotions we feel.”
Taylor, who also put out a call on Facebook for support at the protests, said the animals were not provided with adequate enclosures at the circus sites and were forced to suffer for human entertainment.
“If we had circuses with only human acts, I’d be the first in the queue.”
An emotional Brian Boswell Circus co-owner Georgina Boswell said the circus protest was “the voice of minority groups” and propaganda.
“They say we make the animals stand in cramped cages but it is not true. These are blatant lies that are illegally damaging our business. We have a handful of well cared for animals and we belong to a regulated industry. The SPCA inspects us at every site.” She said performing poodles “sleep in bed with us” and their animals were “in big pens and get the best food”.
She said the circus was “disputing the authenticity” of the elephant abuse video and that the handler responsible had been fired. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Animal acts to spark protest
Animal Warriors East London also pressured Beaconhurst Primary via Facebook to reconsider hosting the East London leg of the circus.
Principal Aubrey Norman called a meeting with his executive yesterday after reading a post on the Animal Warriors site asking the school why it was allowing the circus on its property. “This is a horrible way to raise money for the school. Is this really what you want to teach our children? That it is ok to treat animals so terribly to make a buck?”
Brian Boswell Circus scrapped its elephant act after shocking video aired on Carte Blanche in 2013 of a chained elephant being hit in the face with a pipe by one of its handlers.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch after the school’s emergency meeting and after consulting with the governing body chairman and education department yesterday, Norman said the school was strenuously opposed to any form of animal abuse – but it would allow the circus to pitch its big top on school grounds between March 24 and April 12 as planned.
He said he had signed the contract earlier this year to raise funds for the school because he had been assured only domestic animals were used.
“We are animal lovers and would never support cruelty to animals.
“We have been assured only domestic animals will be involved and that vet checks and regular inspections by the SPCA are encouraged.”
However, he said he would refrain from hosting circuses in the future.
Animal Warriors East London founder Sandy Taylor said she had no problem with the physical condition of the animals – 11 horses and ponies, three dogs, two camels, an alpaca and three goats – she was concerned with their mental anguish from being “boxed and carted” long distances.
“The public looks at their condition and whether they are well fed, but ... the problem is what is happening internally. They are sentient beings so they feel all the emotions we feel.”
Taylor, who also put out a call on Facebook for support at the protests, said the animals were not provided with adequate enclosures at the circus sites and were forced to suffer for human entertainment.
“If we had circuses with only human acts, I’d be the first in the queue.”
An emotional Brian Boswell Circus co-owner Georgina Boswell said the circus protest was “the voice of minority groups” and propaganda.
“They say we make the animals stand in cramped cages but it is not true. These are blatant lies that are illegally damaging our business. We have a handful of well cared for animals and we belong to a regulated industry. The SPCA inspects us at every site.” She said performing poodles “sleep in bed with us” and their animals were “in big pens and get the best food”.
She said the circus was “disputing the authenticity” of the elephant abuse video and that the handler responsible had been fired. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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