Animal rights protests planned as tigers star at circus in Louth
FROM: thisislincolnshire.co.uk
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
A CIRCUS show featuring tigers, camels and horses is starting in Louth this week.
The long-established Great British Circus is undergoing its final rehearsals ready for the performances which start tomorrow and run until Sunday, March 4..Animal rights campaigners have protested about the circus but ringmaster Barbara Howes spoke to the Target to defend the circus's use of animals in its performances.
She said: "Basically our show is an interpretation of what they naturally do.
"Tigers jump from tree stumps, roll over and lay down and we teach them to do these things on command. You can not force an animal to do something – all we hold are two small garden canes as an extension to our arms.
"We are all animal lovers and we like animals to have their own spirit and characters. When we train a new animal it is always starting them off slow – they are never thrown in at the deep end."
None of the animals are from the wild with the tigers being the eighth generation bred by Martin Lacey, the company owner and circus director.
Mrs Howes added: "We have strict rules and regulations to stick to and receive visits from Defra.
"We do not agree with animal cruelty.
"The circus is a way of life for us. We receive a lot of positive feedback which often goes unreported. One person recently thanked us because if it was not for our circus, his children would not have had the opportunity to see these animals."
The circus also includes a trapeze artist and traditional clown.
This year the show has a new horse trainer, Katja Kossamayer, and will feature a black beauty theme.
The Captive Animals' Protection Society, which campaigns against the use of animals in circuses, has confirmed there will be peaceful protests outside the circus in Louth.
The long-established Great British Circus is undergoing its final rehearsals ready for the performances which start tomorrow and run until Sunday, March 4..Animal rights campaigners have protested about the circus but ringmaster Barbara Howes spoke to the Target to defend the circus's use of animals in its performances.
She said: "Basically our show is an interpretation of what they naturally do.
"Tigers jump from tree stumps, roll over and lay down and we teach them to do these things on command. You can not force an animal to do something – all we hold are two small garden canes as an extension to our arms.
"We are all animal lovers and we like animals to have their own spirit and characters. When we train a new animal it is always starting them off slow – they are never thrown in at the deep end."
None of the animals are from the wild with the tigers being the eighth generation bred by Martin Lacey, the company owner and circus director.
Mrs Howes added: "We have strict rules and regulations to stick to and receive visits from Defra.
"We do not agree with animal cruelty.
"The circus is a way of life for us. We receive a lot of positive feedback which often goes unreported. One person recently thanked us because if it was not for our circus, his children would not have had the opportunity to see these animals."
The circus also includes a trapeze artist and traditional clown.
This year the show has a new horse trainer, Katja Kossamayer, and will feature a black beauty theme.
The Captive Animals' Protection Society, which campaigns against the use of animals in circuses, has confirmed there will be peaceful protests outside the circus in Louth.
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