Canterbury Bankstown bans circus with exotic animals on its land: Stardust Circus to consider legal action
CANTERBURY Bankstown Council has banned circuses and carnival, which use exotic animals, from pitching tents on their land, prompting the owners of Australia’s oldest circuses to say they will be seeking legal action.
The Express
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CANTERBURY Bankstown Council has banned circuses and carnival, which use exotic animals, from pitching tents on their land, prompting the owners of Australia’s oldest circuses to say they will be seeking legal action.
Stardust Circus, which has been bringing their exotic animals and other acts to Carysfield Reserve in Bass Hill for more than three decades, said they are considering legal action against the council.
Canterbury Bankstown council proposed the ban more than three months ago and the public were invited to make their submissions until July 30. When the ban comes into effect, only circuses without exotic animals will be allowed on council land. Private lands can, however, play host to circuses with exotic animals.
There were more than 200 submissions with the public split roughly 50-50, the council said.
Before the council vote was taken last Tuesday night, Mr St James and Gabrielle Openshaw from Animal Liberation gave emotional presentations on the motion.
“We are already in talks with our legal team regarding this ban,” Stardust Circus ringmaster and manager Adam St James told the Express.
“This is blatant discrimination against us because other circuses, which don’t have exotic animals, can have their events on council land but we are not allowed though we all have the same licences.
“We have been coming to this site for more than 30 years and never had a single complaint.”
Mayor Khal Asfour said the council’s decision — which was approved during last Tuesday’s meeting — was made after extensive community consultation.
“It certainly polarised opinion, residents were either for it or against it,” Cr Asfour said.
“We took all views into consideration but, ultimately in the end, we have a social responsibility and a commitment to forward thinking leadership.”
When he first spoke about the proposed ban, Cr Asfour said: “We all agree it is not appropriate for lions, tigers, elephants and the like, to be caged and used as performance animals.”
Stardust Circus has six lions, four monkeys, 15 ponies, seven dogs, three goats and two pigs in their shows which usually run between three to four weeks at a venue.
Their last event in Bass Hill was held in August with Mr St James saying they had big crowds as usual.
RSPCA NSW CEO, Steve Coleman said: “The RSPCA is opposed to the use of exotic animals, such as lions, elephants and primates in circuses, because the requirements of circus life are not compatible with the physiological, social and behavioural needs of these animals.
“The RSPCA’s policy is based on evidence that no circus, no matter how well managed, can provide an appropriate environment for wild animals.”
Cr Asfour said the new policy provides for a consistent approach across the city, after the former Bankstown and Canterbury Councils had vastly different positions.
“It also brings us in line with many other councils throughout Australia, which have a similar position,” he said.