As we all know, circuses with performing wild animals are out of favour with local government authorities in this country. Despite continuing to be very popular with the public, they are banned from showing in many council areas.
I don't intend to rehash the question of the morality of performing animals - everyone has their own opinion - except to say that if something is legal (and performing wild animals ARE legal in Australia) then I don't think that local government political correctness should be permitted to overrule Federal and State laws. I suppose that the only reason that there has not been a legal challenge to this dubious ruling is the sheer cost involved in such a challenge.
Now however, things have gone one step further. A reasonably small family show called Weber's Circus, which is showing in the Kuring-gai Municipality in Sydney's northern suburbs, has been told that some of their acts involving animals are not allowed in Kuring-gai. And what are the big bad folks at Weber's Circus doing to earn the wrath of the council? Are they forcing reluctant lions to jump through flaming hoops? No, Weber's don't have any lions; nor tigers; nor even monkeys.
The animals involved are (Shock! Horror!) Shetland ponies and fox terrier dogs!
That's right- not content from banning wild animals from their area, Kuring-gai council have decided to ban ALL animals from circuses.
This is total hypocrisy! This council has a showground at which pony club gymkhanas and horse dressage events are regularly held, not to mention dog obedience displays; dog obstacle racing etc. How is that substantially different to a circus performance?
In view of predictable disbelief and questions from the community, council has, presumably reluctantly, agreed to re-examine the decision some time in the future.
I don't intend to rehash the question of the morality of performing animals - everyone has their own opinion - except to say that if something is legal (and performing wild animals ARE legal in Australia) then I don't think that local government political correctness should be permitted to overrule Federal and State laws. I suppose that the only reason that there has not been a legal challenge to this dubious ruling is the sheer cost involved in such a challenge.
Now however, things have gone one step further. A reasonably small family show called Weber's Circus, which is showing in the Kuring-gai Municipality in Sydney's northern suburbs, has been told that some of their acts involving animals are not allowed in Kuring-gai. And what are the big bad folks at Weber's Circus doing to earn the wrath of the council? Are they forcing reluctant lions to jump through flaming hoops? No, Weber's don't have any lions; nor tigers; nor even monkeys.
The animals involved are (Shock! Horror!) Shetland ponies and fox terrier dogs!
That's right- not content from banning wild animals from their area, Kuring-gai council have decided to ban ALL animals from circuses.
This is total hypocrisy! This council has a showground at which pony club gymkhanas and horse dressage events are regularly held, not to mention dog obedience displays; dog obstacle racing etc. How is that substantially different to a circus performance?
In view of predictable disbelief and questions from the community, council has, presumably reluctantly, agreed to re-examine the decision some time in the future.
