Bobby Roberts Circus - Complain to Council
March 20, 2008 – 10:16 am
Local campaigners have been in touch with council officials regarding the circus as it is taking place on council land. Northampton Borough Council has apparently banned circuses using animals from its land and this ban has been in force for approximately 20 years.
When questioned a council employee explained that the circus had been allowed on the land as it was not using any animals in its performance. She stated that the animals present were just ‘travelling’ with the circus as this is what they do, they would get lonely otherwise and it wouldn’t be fair on them to leave them behind. Animals present at the site so far are Anne, the 55 year old elephant who has caused much controversy in the media in recent years, and an unspecified number of horses.
Despite her age and health concerns, Anne the elephant is not being allowed to retire. Although she apparently no longer performs in the ring, she is still forced to travel throughout the country with the circus, who claim that she enjoys this, and has appeared in TV adverts and publicity stunts. According to the council the RSPCA visited the circus in Northampton yesterday and said that Anne was lame, however they are apparently happy with the situation as she is said to be receiving veterinary treatment for her condition.
Please contact Northampton Borough Council to complain about the fact that they have allowed an animal circus to use their land despite a well-established ban on animal circuses. You may also wish to raise concerns about the welfare of the animals, and Anne in particular.
Northampton Borough Council can be contacted as follows:
The Guildhall
St Giles Square
Northampton
NN1 1DE
Tel: 01604 837837
Email: enquiries@northampton.gov.uk
Please also contact the Leader of the Council, Cllr Anthony Woods:
Email: cllr.awoods@northampton.gov.uk
Tel: 01604 714431
Contact details for other local Councillors can be found at http://www.northamptonboroughcouncil.com/councillors/mgCommitteeMailin gList.asp?EM=0&ID=0&J=8
More information on circuses can be found on the Captive Animals’ Protection Society (CAPS) website at www.captiveanimals.org.
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