THE BALLOON MAN

Circus boss cracks whip

 

Brian Boswell's Circus has denied any form of cruelty to its animals Picture: THULI DLAMINI
MHLABA MEMELA
from: timeslive.vco.za
02 August, 2012
Circus fans have given their support to Brian Boswell as he fights off animal rights activists.
The activists, who want to stop Boswell using animals in shows, protested in front of his circus in Durban on Sunday.

Boswell claims they also posted pictures on the internet that falsely depict him involved in acts of animal cruelty.

Yesterday, Boswell said he had instructed his lawyers to demand that the pictures be removed and that the activists responsible apologise for "perpetuating lies" about him.

Animal Rights in Action has been pushing for wild animals to be excluded from circus acts . Its ultimate goal is for no animals to be used in circus entertainment.

The Brian Boswell Circus has been in Durban for a month. It has extended its stay for another six weeks due to demand, increasing the number of shows it puts on at weekends to three.

Fans of the circus say they have seen no cruelty to the animals during the show.
Bobby Ramsey said: "My intention in coming to the circus was because I wanted to see for myself the 'cruelty' that angers people. But it's a different thing altogether. These animals are well looked after.

"I just do not understand what the activists want."

Ramsey said that, as an animal lover, if he had seen any wrongdoing, he would have immediately walked out of the show with his children.

Circus-goer Anne Nell said the activists were just "attention-seekers".

"We all love wild animals, but there is no cruelty when it is shown that they can establish good relationships with the people [in the circus]," she said.
Boswell's circus tent seats about 800 people a show and features lions, elephants, horses, pigs and dancing dogs.
read more at:
http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2012/08/02/circus-boss-cracks-whip