A spate of arson attacks has plagued Adelaide overnight. The council votes against banning animal circuses from the parklands. Jason Gillespie to coach the Strikers.
A MOVE to ban circuses that use live animals from the Parklands has failed.
Adelaide City Councillor Robert Simms put a proposal before Tuesday’s meeting to ban animal circuses from the Parklands by 2016, but it was rejected by a split vote.
The council instead voted for bureaucrats to complete a report into the impacts of any ban for live animal circuses, by a margin of six votes to five.
Mr Simms said the use of live animals in circus performances was “archaic”.
Lennon Brothers Circus in Bonython Park in 2012 … a move to ban circuses that use live animals from the Parklands has failed.
“It’s not something that belongs in the 21st Century and it shouldn’t be allowed to continue in our city,” he said.
“Adelaide is trying to make a brand as a progressive and dynamic city and this is something that definitely belongs in our past.
“We do have an obligation to make sure our Parklands are used in an ethical and responsible manner.”
Mr Simms said he was disappointed the vote went against him but pledged to continue fighting for the ban.
“This isn’t the end of the matter,” he said.
“It was a very close vote and it shows that community sentiment has really shifted on this issue. I was inundated with support (for the ban).”
=Councillor Phillip Martin, who proposed the report be done instead of implementing the ban, said there may be unintended consequences of enacting new rules.
“We need to fully understand the ramifications (of a ban) before we rush into supporting it,” he said.
“What would it mean for the (Australian) 3 Day Event (an equestrian competition)? Would the horses be banned from the Parklands?”
Janice Lennon, from the Lennon Bros Circus, said she was relieved the council did not vote to implement the proposed ban.
“It’s the same mob (of animal rights activists) who write into every council in Australia trying to get us banned,” she said.
“They tend to have different levels of success depending on the area but I’m glad we are still here (in Adelaide) for a little while longer.”
Mrs Lennon said the lions used in the circus were well looked after content to perform tricks on stage.
“They are from the cat family so they are quite happy sleeping 16 to 19 hours a day,” she said.
“In fact, they are actually quite lazy animals.
“But they are part of our family and we put their welfare first.”
Animal Liberation SA chair Phil Cornelius said the council should have banned circuses that use exotic animals from the Parklands.
“These animals are simply being used for entertainment and it really is unacceptable,” he said.
“They are essentially wild animals so it is unethical to make them perform in this way.”
The RSPCA remains opposed to the use of exotic animals, such as lions, in circus acts.
Several councils across Australia have banned live animal circuses within their boundaries including Lismore in NSW, along the with ACT.
The Lennon Bros Circus will be running performances in Bonython Park until May 3.
Lions to remain in the Parklands a little longer after City Council rejects live animal circus ban
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