Local residents picket Boswell Circus
Residents held up placards saying animals, wild or domestic, did not belong in the circus.
AROUND 15 residents held a peaceful protest outside Brian Boswell’s Circus on Tuesday. Animal rights activists demonstrated outside the circus in Durban. Tara Aberdeen, who organised the protest said she, and those who supported the event, wanted to bring attention to the plight of animals used in the show.
“In previous years we have managed to stop the circus from using wild animals in its shows. We’ve seen alpacas here today and horses as well as other animals, and our view is domestic animals suffer just as much as wild animals. The protest was to bring attention to the passers-by and those attending the circus that animals, domestic or wild, do not belong in circuses. The support from the public was incredible,” she said.
Aberdeen emphasized said that the group were not against circuses.
“There are many successful circuses around the world that do not have animals in them.” she said.
A circus representative, who was initially reluctant to comment, said the animals at the circus were well-taken care of.
“All the animals in the circus are regularly checked by vets in the area. They are all well-groomed and well-taken care of. I feel the group only comes when it suits them,” she said.
