Animal circus ban for Shrewsbury Quarry to be relaxed
A ban on circuses using performing animals at Shrewsbury’s Quarry has been relaxed after councillors voted for a change in rules.
A ban on circuses using performing animals at Shrewsbury’s Quarry has been relaxed after councillors voted for a change in rules.
The Dingle in Shrewsbury Quarry
from: shropshirestar.com (UK)
June 13, 2013
Circuses featuring animals in their shows had been banned from staging in events in the town park by the former Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council.
But Shrewsbury Town Council’s recreation and leisure committee decided last night to amend the rules.
The change now means that circuses whose animals are considered domestic, such as horses and dogs, will be allowed to perform in the Quarry, subject to satisfactory health and welfare reports and checks with the RSPCA.
A review was debated after Baileys Circus approached the town council to put on an event in the Quarry in May 2014 and asked the authority whether the policy could be reconsidered in light of it using horses as part of its show.
A report to councillors put three options to them – to continue the ban, remove it completely or allow show which used domestic animals.
In a vote, none of the councillors opted to remove the ban completely, with four voting in favour of the domestic animals option and two for the continuation of the veto.
Councillor Kath Owen, who voted for the continuation of the ban, said she was concerned relaxing the ban may set a precedent.
“I think if you start allowing domestic animals, it might leave the door open a bit for other people to say ‘Can we have some other animal?’,” she said.
But Councillor Beverley Baker said other organisations are allowed to use dogs and horses in The Quarry already.
“The problem is if we are doing it for other groups, how can you say we aren’t doing it for circuses?” she said.
Among the events planned for the Quarry in the next few months is a dog show on August 17 and a horse carriage parade on September 15.
Showjumping is also a regular feature of the annual Shrewsbury Flower Show, which is taking place on August 9 and 10 this year.
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