Bayside Mayor defends circuses with exotic animals
THE Bayside mayor has rejected calls to ban circuses with exotic animals arguing that all kids should have the opportunity to see circus monkeys and tigers at their local park.
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THE Bayside mayor has rejected calls to ban circuses with exotic animals arguing that all kids should have the opportunity to see monkeys and tigers.
On Wednesday night the council debated allowing the Stardust Circus to come to Bayside.
Councillor Scott Morrissey said he would be pleased to welcome a circus — provided it did not use animals for entertainment.
He reminded the meeting that the ACT had banned animal-based circuses decades ago and many Australian councils had introduced bylaws to stop them touring.
He then read from an RSPCA report which argued animals in circuses suffer long lasting health problems.
But not all councillors shared his views.
“One of my childhood dreams was to go to the circus,” Bayside Mayor Bill Saravinovski said.
“I believe kids should have the opportunity to see a monkey, to see a tiger, because I had that enjoyment as a child.
“I’m saddened to see they are being phased out by left-wing people because at the end of the day we are on this earth to share and enjoy life and part of life is to see how animals live. And the entertainment is great.”
He added that if there was any question of animal cruelty he would be the first to ban a circus.
Cr Michael Nagi also said he would not stand for cruelty but said animals in circuses provided great entertainment.
“When I’ve travelled overseas, particularly Thailand, I watched shows with elephants. In my view they treat them so well and they provide an entertainment,” he said.
“There are allegations that there is cruelty in slaughtering animals, in that case then everyone should become vegan.”
Cr Ed McDougall said he found animal circuses “objectionable” but was concerned about moralising what activities could and could not be held in the area.
Cr Andrew Tsounis warned that if Bayside rejected the Stardust Circus, it would go elsewhere and along with it the economic benefits.
“Most people go out on the weekend and you will notice there is a thing called horseracing,” he said.
“Someone sits on the horse, forces it out of the barrier and goes around and whips the horse.
“There are all these other activities with horses, they have it in the Olympics too,” he said.
“At the end of the day there are fringe communities that pick on these things.
“There was a rally in Pitt Street the other day, stop cruelty to chickens. What stop all chickens? Everyone is buying eggs, everyone is buying MacDonalds.”
“I’m not alleging cruelty,” Cr Morrissey said. “I’m sure they (Stardust Circus) love and look after their animals. It’s more about the long term animal welfare.”
Stardust Circus, which is one of only two animal circuses in Australia, features lions, monkeys riding ponies and dancing goats.
The RSPCA argues that no matter how well managed a circus may be it is not compatible with the physiological, social and behavioural needs of these animals.
The council voted to discuss the controversial issue in a private meeting before making a decision.
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