Stardust Circus defends record following Peta boycott call

A leading animal rights group has slammed Stardust Circus after it revealed major plans for new shows. However, the circus has responded and defended its methods.

A leading animal rights group is calling on Hills residents to boycott Stardust Circus.

Stardust Circus, which performs with ponies, goats and dogs, is proposing to book in dates at Castle Hill Showground across a five-year period.

It was the last Australian circus to use lions, monkeys and other wild animals but earlier this year Stardust was forced to retire these animals after struggling to get insurance.

Stardust Circus in Cairns. Wonona West and her Liberty Horses.

Family-operated Stardust, which is run by Janice and Lindsay Lennon as well as five brothers and sisters, claims there is no animal cruelty and all animals are loved and looked after.

Despite Stardust no longer featuring exotic animals, animal rights groups, such as PETA, oppose performances and are calling for Hills residents to boycott the circus.

“Animals aren’t actors, living wind-up toys, or circus clowns. Unlike human performers, they do not choose circus life, and they can find frequent transportation and large, noisy crowds extremely stressful,” Laura Weyman-Jones, from PETA, said.

“The ‘tricks’ that they’re forced to do can also be confusing to them – for example, horses would never prop their front legs on another horse’s back and walk on only their hind legs of their own volition.”

Stardust has attracted protests in the past. Pictured is the Animal Justice party protesting outside Stardust Circus in Gosford on January 5 2018. (AAP Image/Sue Graham)

She added: “PETA encourages the people of Hills Shire to stay away from Stardust Circus until it offers performances that showcase only willing human performers.”

Ms Lennon defended the record of the circus and said animals are always trained with rewards – never with cruel or punitive disciplinary methods.

She also explained that Stardust’s animals are never forced to perform over long time periods, explaining “the dogs love performing and the three ponies are in the ring for not long … for five minutes, and the goats are in there for about two minutes.”

The Stardust Circus at Palm Beach: Jan and Lindsay Lennon.

The circus has a history of performing in the Hills and in 2018 a petition was launched to stop circuses that include the use of exotic animals on council land.

However, this was voted down by councillors on Hills Shire Council.

The circus is now applying to perform over five years at Castle Hill Showground.

The council is yet to approve the application.

A council spokesperson said Stardust Circus is able to hire the Showground as they have done for many years.

The spokesperson added: “Circus operators are held to account by the Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979”.