THE Limerick Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LSPCA) has come out in full support of the motion by Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler to ban any circus using animals on public land.
According to manager of Limerick SPCA, Finola Kelly, having caged animals in a circus is “completely unnatural”. The Hyde Road based voluntary group is now appealing to all city and county councillors to give their full support to Cllr Butler’s “progressive” motion.
“Animals travel long distances in cages and get limited, repetitive and closed off exercise. It sends out the wrong signals to young children, who are at an impressionable age and can only assume that this is normal procedure, when in fact it is completely unacceptable,” Ms Kelly claimed.
“In a time where cruelty to animals is at crisis levels, we depend greatly on young children to grow up respecting all animals and seeing them in this unnatural and cruel environment goes against the principles that we are trying to teach them. While the animals may not directly be abused, keeping them imprisoned in cramped conditions and forcing them to ‘perform’ acts for our entertainment goes against nature,” she said.
Limerick SPCA maintain clowns and acrobats have always been a great attraction at circuses and should remain the focus of entertainment instead of animals.
“Limerick is a proud City of Culture, let’s extend our compassion to all,” she concluded.
Cllr Butler’s motion is going to a full vote at Limerick City and County Council on September 22.
