Victory! Michael Creed Announces Ban on Wild-Animal Circuses in Ireland
On Thursday, 9 November, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, announced a ban on wild-animal circuses in Ireland. The decision follows thousands of e-mails sent by PETA supporters to their TDs, as well as letters of support from celebrities such as Pamela Anderson and Louis Walsh calling for a ban.
A statement released by Minister Creed reads as follows:
The use of wild animals for entertainment purposes in circuses can no longer be permitted. This is the general view of the public at large and a position I am happy to endorse. This is a progressive move, reflective of our commitment to animal welfare. I am of course allowing a modest lead in period to allow for alternative arrangements to be made for the animals in question.
This decision brings Ireland in line with dozens of other countries – including Austria, Belgium, Mexico, and the Netherlands – that have introduced similar bans. Our understanding of who animals such as elephants, zebras, and lions are is expanding, and we now know that a circus can never come close to meeting their complex needs. These animals are chronically frustrated, stressed, and depressed from a lifetime of being denied the opportunity to do anything that’s natural and important to them. They’re kept caged in trailers that are hauled around the country and forced to perform confusing tricks under the big top out of some Victorian-era concept of amusement.
PETA commends Minister Creed for taking action to protect animals and thanks all our supporters who contacted their TDs!
What You Can Do
This is a fantastic step forward, but Ireland still needs to do a lot more to protect animals. Many people don’t realise that several fur farms are still operating in the country. Please contact Minister Creed now and ask him to outlaw these cruel facilities.
