Council split on circus issue

By Arthur Williams

Free Press

Jun 14 2006

The City of Prince George will examine options which may include a ban
on circus performances of exotic animals such as tigers and elephants.

B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) director
Kathi Travers requested council ban any exotic circus animal performances in
the city on humanitarian grounds.

Travers said she has worked with exotic animals in the past and has
seen the way circus animals are treated.

"Animals in circuses spend 48 to 50 weeks a year in tiny enclosures,"
Travers said. "They are often trained with intimidation and abuse."

The unnatural behaviours required for circus performances put a great
deal of stress on the animals, she added.

The B.C. SPCA is against exotic animals - such as great cats, bears,
elephants and primates - being captured or bred to be performing animals,
Travers said. The SPCA isn't taking issue with shows which use domestic
animals such as dogs, cats and horses.

"I'm very proud to live in this city. I want to show the rest of the
province that Prince George is a progressive community," Travers said.

Already 19 B.C. communities, including cities like Vancouver, Kelowna
and Kamloops, have banned exotic animal performances, she added.

Travers said the move wouldn't mean a ban on all circuses, but would
put a focus on shows like the Cirque du Soleil which only use human
performers.

Council appeared divided on the issue.

"I don't believe the mistreatment of animals should be entertainment,"
Councillor Deborah Munoz said.

Councillor Glen Scott said he attended a recent circus performance and
didn't see any mistreatment of animals. In talking with animal handlers,
Scott added, he believed the animals were being well treated.

"We fought the Second World War to have freedom of choice," he added.

Mayor Colin Kinsley urged caution. Council should allow City
administration to fully examine practices in other municipalities and
present a report before coming to conclusions, Kinsley said.

There is a lot of options, including what types of animals and shows
to consider banning if any, which need to be fully explored, he said.

"Let's just go slow. We need to be specific," Kinsley said. "Let's
take the time to get this right."