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This week, Dublin officially passed legislation to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.
Councilor Noeleen Reilly, who proposed the motion to ban the use of wild animals in circuses, celebrated the recent decision, and said that she is keen to see the Minister for Agriculture bring about legislation that would extend the ban throughout Ireland.
“I am delighted my motion was passed. This is a cruel outdated practice that holds no place in modern Ireland. I want to commend all the local authorities who have passed similar motions to date and now call on the Minister to listen to what the councils are telling him and to ban this practice from the state immediately.”
John Camody, a spokesperson for Animal Rights Action Network, believes this move is a step in the right direction in terms of assuring an eventual nation-wide ban on the use of animals in Irish circuses. Camody stated:
“Animals touring Irish circuses in 2016 include elephants, tigers, camels, horses, ponies, crocodiles, parrots, and so many other animals prompting the need for national legislation to ban, outright, any circus using any animals…thankfully we feel that the tide is turning and we welcome the day Irish circuses can thrive with proper artists and acrobats.”
The list of countries and cities passing similar legislation continues to grow, and Dublin now joins this extensive list of countries and cities who have banned this cruel practise.
